Cannons Lacrosse Club

The Cannons Lacrosse Club are a Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) professional men's field lacrosse team formerly based in Boston, Massachusetts. They played in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) from their inaugural 2001 season up until the league merged with PLL and won two Steinfeld Cup championship games. The team's home field was Veterans Memorial Stadium in nearby Quincy.[1]

Cannons Lacrosse Club
SportLacrosse
Founded2001
LeaguePremier Lacrosse League
ColorsNavy blue, red, silver, white
       
Head coachSean Quirk
Championships2 (2011, 2020)
Division titles2004, 2005
MascotBoomer
WebsiteCannons LC
Uniforms

Franchise History

The Cannons Lacrosse Club identity was adopted following the MLL-PLL merger in December 2020 for the team formerly known as Boston Cannons. They were the only MLL team identity to continue into the 2021 PLL season. The Boston Cannons were one of the original six teams of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), and the only team from the MLL's inaugural 2001 season to stay in the same market, without folding or moving elsewhere. MLL was founded by Jake Steinfeld, Dave Morrow, and Tim Robertson. The Cannons Founder and President is Matt Dwyer. From their inaugural season of 2001 through 2003, the Cannons played their home games at Cawley Memorial Stadium in Lowell, Massachusetts. In their inaugural 2001 season, the Cannons finished with a record of 3-11 but still qualified for the playoffs finishing in second place in the division. In 2004, they moved to Nickerson Field at Boston University where they played through the 2006 season. In 2007, they moved to Harvard Stadium in Allston, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts[2] which is less than 2 miles from Nickerson Field and also less than 2 miles from the Cannons' main office in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston qualified for the MLL playoffs 2001–2006, 2009-2011 and 2015. The Cannons won the 2004 and 2005 MLL American Division championships.

2011 championship season

The Cannons won the Steinfeld Cup for the first time in 2011, defeating the Hamilton Nationals 10–9. Boston went 9–3 in the regular season, their best record since going 10–2 in 2005. After losing to Chesapeake 13–9 in the 2010 semifinal, the Cannons avenged the Bayhawks by defeating them 14–13 in the 2011 semifinal with a goal from Max Quinzani. Boston became the fifth charter franchise to win a championship. By 2011, the Cannons were one of four charter franchises still in the league that started with six teams in 2001. The other three remaining charter franchises (Lizards, Bayhawks, and Rattlers had all previously won at least one Steinfeld Cup (The defunct Barrage had won three). Head coach Bill Daye stepped down a month after winning the Steinfeld Cup, citing he wanted to spend more time with his family.[3] As of 2016, Daye is still the franchise's all-time leader in coaching victories with 43 and the only head coach with multiple playoff victories.

2013–2018

The Cannons in 2013 and 2014 finished 5–9 and 6–8. This included a 1–5 start in 2013 leading to Steve Duffy's firing on June 10.[4] John Tucker took his place and played .500 for the rest of the season. After the Cannons missed the playoffs for the fourth time in franchise history in 2014, Tucker led the team back to the postseason in 2015 as the 8–6 fourth seed. They played the New York Lizards and lost 16–15 in overtime. The Lizards went on to win the Steinfeld Cup.

John Tucker left the Cannons after the 2015 season to become the first head coach and general manager of the expansion team Atlanta Blaze. On October 8, 2015, Sean Quirk was announced as the sixth head coach in franchise history.[5] In an odd 2016 year in which seven of the league's nine teams, including the Cannons, finished with identical 8-6 records, Quirk's team was not rewarded with one of the four playoff spots after tie-breaking procedures. On December 20, 2016, it was announced that John Tucker would be returning to the Cannons as the team's offensive coordinator in 2017.[6] Tucker was fired mid-season by the Blaze after a 3–7 start.

Despite a Week 1 win in 2017, the Cannons season turned around. At 3–6, the Cannons traded away captain Will Manny and Joe LoCascio to the New York Lizards for Dave Lawson and Chris LaPierre on June 27.[7] On July 14, the Cannons announced that neither Lawson nor LaPierre would suit up for the team that season. Dave Lawson informed team officials that he would be retiring from the league while Chris LaPierre decided not to report to the team.[8] The Cannons finished the season on a six-game losing streak. At 3-11, the Cannons posted the worst record in the league and tied their franchise-worst record from 2001, their inaugural season.

The final team logo for the Boston Cannons while members of the MLL

2019–2020: New pro lacrosse landscape and second title

Following the 2018 season, Paul Rabil launched the Premier Lacrosse League, baiting over 140 MLL players to migrate over. However, the Cannons maintained more of their roster than other teams like the Dallas Rattlers or Rabil's New York Lizards.[9] Two months prior to the start of the 2019 season, the league cut the team roster from nine to six when the Ohio Machine and Florida Launch folded and Charlotte Hounds suspended operations for two seasons.[10] Taking this to their advantage, the Cannons posted a 9–7 record in 2019, good enough for the third of four postseason seeds and gave Boston its first playoff berth since 2015. Boston faced the Denver Outlaws in the semifinal, who were also hosting Championship Weekend. The Cannons got off to a hot start and led by as many as six goals, but ultimately fell, 17–15, ending their season.[11]

2019 was the Cannons' first season in Quincy. During the offseason they announced a move to and $1.5 million renovation of Veterans Memorial Stadium.[12] The Cannons announced two sellouts in their first season in the updated venue.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was shortened to five regular season games in seven days, all to be played in front of no fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. The Cannons finished fourth place out of six teams with a 3–2 record, and were the only team to defeat the Denver Outlaws in the regular season. Heading into the postseason, the Cannons were scheduled to play the Outlaws in the semifinal. However, after a player from the Chesapeake Bayhawks experience symptoms of COVID-19 and eventually tested positive, the two other postseason competitors, Chesapeake and Connecticut, withdrew from the tournament. The Cannons' semifinal game with the Outlaws was pushed back a day and would be played as the championship. Boston defeated Denver for the second time in two days, the latter in 13-10 fashion for the franchise's second title, first in nine years.[13] Newcomer attackman Bryce Wasserman, who played for the Dallas Rattlers the season before, was named league MVP for 2020.

2020-Present: PLL Cannons Lacrosse Club

On December 16, 2020, in a statement from Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the Boston Cannons officially became the 8th team in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). To fit league nomenclature, the team would be dropping "Boston" from their name and become "Cannons Lacrosse Club." Their roster will be set via expansion draft, and the team will begin play in the PLL in the 2021 season. Small tweaks to the former Boston Cannons resulted in a PLL crest and logo reveal on January 12.[14] One week later, the league announced Sean Quirk would continue coaching at the helm of the Cannons identity.[15]

General Managers
  • David Gross (2001–2005)
  • Jason Chandler (2006–2007)
  • Mark Kastrud (2008–2011)
  • Kevin Barney (2011–2017)

Current Coaching Staff
  • Head Coach - Sean Quirk
  • Assistant Coaches - TBD

All-Time Head Coaches
# Name Term Regular Season Playoffs
GC W L W% GC W L W%
Boston Cannons
1Mitch Whiteley200214311.214101.000
2Scott Hiller2003–2005503218.640514.200
3Bill Daye2006–2011724329.597624.333
4Steve Duffy2012–2013201010.500101.000
5John Tucker2013–2015361818.500101.000
6Sean Quirk2016–2020683137.456321.667
Cannons Lacrosse Club
—Sean Quirk2021–————————

Roster
2020 Boston Cannons
# Name Nationality Position Height Weight College
1 Nick Marrocco (C) G 6 ft 0 in 180 lbs Georgetown
2 Bryce Wasserman A 6 ft 3 in 190 lbs Monmouth
3 Kyle Weber M 6 ft 2 in 200 lbs Bates
4 Dom Madonna G 5 ft 11 in 180 lbs Syracuse
5Cal DearthM6 ft 3 in215 lbsBoston University
9 Ben Spencer M 6 ft 4 in 215 lbs UMass
12Zach Goodrich (A)M6 ft 2 in200 lbsTowson
13 John Uppgren A 5 ft 11 in 190 lbs Tufts
17 Jason Brewster D 6 ft 0 in 190 lbs UMBC
18Tim EdwardsM6 ft 2 in195 lbsCanisius
23Challen RogersM6 ft 4 in220 lbsStony Brook
26 Scott Corcoran LSM 6 ft 0 in 180 lbs Merrimack
32Kevin ReismanFO5 ft 11 in210 lbsLimestone
36 Nate Farrell FO 5 ft 10 in 190 lbs RIT
41Mark Cockerton (C)M5 ft 10 in185 lbsVirginia
42 Charlie Ford D 6 ft 2 in 205 lbs Georgetown
47Kyle JacksonA5 ft 9 in166 lbsMichigan
55Scott HooperD6 ft 1 in200 lbsVirginia
75 John Yozzo-Scaperotta M 6 ft 2 in 215 lbs Brown
77Justin PugalD6 ft 2 in230 lbsStony Brook
81 Matt Gilray LSM 6 ft 4 in 205 lbs Bucknell
83 Randy Staats A 6 ft 2 in 200 lbs Syracuse
88 Frank Brown M 6 ft 3 in 210 lbs Hobart
92 Mike Skudin (A) D 6 ft 2 in 205 lbs Hofstra
95 Bryan Cole M 6 ft 3 in 190 lbs Maryland
  • Roster as of 7 July 2020
  • (C)- captain
  • (A)- assistant captain
  • Source:[16]

MLL Award Winners

Most Valuable Player

Rookie of the Year

Coach of the Year

Defensive Player of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year

Goalie of the Year

David Huntley Man of the Year

Most Improved Player

Season-by-Season
Boston Cannons
YearWL%Regular season finishPlayoffs
2001311.2142nd in American DivisionLost semifinal 12–11 to Bayhawks
200277.5002nd in American DivisionLost semifinal 15–10 to Bayhawks
200375.5832nd in American DivisionLost semifinal 20–14 to Lizards
200484.6671st in American DivisionWon semifinal 24–16 over Bayhawks
Lost championship 13–11 to Barrage
2005102.8831st in American DivisionLost semifinal 19–14 to Lizards
200684.6672nd in Eastern ConferenceLost semifinal 17–12 to Barrage
200757.4173rd in Eastern Conference---
200875.5833rd in Eastern Conference---
200966.500Tied for 3rd in MLLLost semifinal 11–10 to Outlaws
201084.667Tied for 1st in MLLLost semifinal 13–9 to Bayhawks
201193.7501st in MLLWon semifinal 14–13 over Bayhawks
Won championship 10–9 over Hamilton Nationals
201295.6433rd in MLLLost semifinal 16–10 to Bayhawks
201359.3576th in MLL---
201468.5295th in MLL---
201586.5714th in MLLLost semifinal 16–15 to Lizards
201686.5717th in MLL---
2017311.2149th in MLL---
201859.3577th in MLL---
201997.5633rd in MLLLost semifinal 17–15 to Denver
202032.6004th in MLLWon championship vs. Denver 13-10
Totals134121.525Total Playoff Record 4 - 11
Playoff Win % = .267

Draft History

First Round Selections

Community involvement

The Cannons often reach out to the local community, hosting a variety of lacrosse camps and events for local youth.[26] In addition, the Cannons support MetroLacrosse, by arranging scholarships for MetroLacrosse players and donating tickets for each home game to MetroLacrosse players and families. MetroLacrosse also maintains a booth in the Fan Zone for each home game.

References
  1. "Boston Cannons Moving To Veterans Memorial Stadium In Quincy". CBS Boston. December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  2. "Cannons move to Harvard Stadium". BostonCannons.com. Archived from the original on 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
  3. Bill Daye stepping down as Boston Cannons head coach
  4. Steve Duffy out as Cannons coach
  5. "Cannons hire new head coach". Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  6. "2017 Coaching Staff Announcement". Archived from the original on 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
  7. Manny, Lawson headline Boston/New York Trade
  8. The Boston Massacre: The blockbuster Lizards/Cannons trade hasn't aged well for Boston
  9. Paul Rabil launches Premier Lacrosse League
  10. MLL disbands three teams
  11. Boston Cannons fall short to Denver Outlaws in MLL semifinal
  12. Boston Cannons, City of Quincy announce $1.5 million in renovations for Veterans Memorial Stadium
  13. Cannons win 2020 MLL championship
  14. "Premier Lacrosse League Unveils New Logo, Branding for Cannons LC". US Lacrosse Magazine. January 12, 2021.
  15. "SEAN QUIRK NAMED HEAD OF COACH OF PLL'S CANNONS LC". US Lacrosse Magazine. January 19, 2021.
  16. "https://twitter.com/bostoncannons/status/1280518390604496898/photo/1". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-07-07. External link in |title= (help)
  17. http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=7332
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=20479
  21. http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/press-release/1956/mll-draft-results
  22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-02-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-09. Retrieved 2014-02-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-01-26. Retrieved 2015-01-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2016-04-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. "Boston Cannons Lacrosse Camp Schedule". Activity Hero.
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