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Boston Cannons

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The Boston Cannons, formerly known as Cannons Lacrosse Club, is a professional men's field lacrosse team in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) . Formerly based in Boston, Massachusetts, they played in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) from their inaugural 2001 season to 2020. The team's home field was Veterans Memorial Stadium in nearby Quincy.[1] In the MLL, the team won two Steinfeld Cup championship games in 2011 and 2020, the latter being the MLL's final championship. The Cannons joined the PLL in 2020 following the MLL–PLL merger and were rebranded as the Cannons Lacrosse Club before later being rebranded as Boston Cannons once again when the PLL assigned home cities after the 2023 season.

Boston Cannons
SportField Lacrosse
Founded2001
LeagueMajor League Lacrosse (2001–2019)
Premier Lacrosse League (2020–present)
Team historyBoston Cannons
2001–2020 (MLL)

Cannons Lacrosse Club
2020–2023 (PLL)

Boston Cannons
2023–present
Based inBoston, Massachusetts
StadiumHarvard Stadium
ColorsNavy blue, red, silver, white
       
Head coachBrian Holman
Championships2
MLL: 2 (2011, 2020)
Division titles2
MLL: 2 (2004, 2005)
Championship Series Titles1 (2024)
WebsiteBoston Cannons
Uniforms
Boston cannons unif12

Franchise history

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The Boston Cannons were one of the original six teams of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), and the only team from the pole inaugural 2001 season to stay in the same market, without folding or moving elsewhere. They were the only MLL team identity to continue into the 2021 PLL season following the MLL-PLL merger and in doing so adopted the Cannons Lacrosse identity. The team would once again become the Boston Cannons when the PLL assigned home cities after the 2023 season. 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 (3.2 km) from Nickerson Field and also within that distance from the Cannons' main office in Boston. The team qualified for the MLL playoffs 2001–2006, 2009-2011 and 2015. The Cannons won the 2004 and 2005 MLL American Division championships.

Major League Lacrosse (MLL)

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2011 championship season

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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] Entering the 2021 season, Daye remains the franchise's all-time leader in regular-season games coached (72), regular-season games won (43), and playoff games coached (6).

2013–2018

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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

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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.

Premier Lacrosse League

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2021–2023: Cannons Lacrosse Club

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

The Cannons played their first game of the 2021 season on June 4 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, falling to the Redwoods Lacrosse Club, 12–11.[16] They would finish the season 7th in the league, falling in the first round of the playoffs.

Post-2023 season-present: Boston Cannons

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After the 2023 season the PLL assigned home cities to each of the eight teams. The Cannons were rebranded from Cannons Lacrosse Club to become the Boston Cannons.[17]

General managers

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

Current coaching staff

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  • Head coach - Brian Holman
  • Assistant coaches - John Klepacki, Sean Kirwan

All-time head coaches

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# Name Term Regular season Playoffs
GC W L W% GC W L W%
Boston Cannons
1 Mitch Whiteley 2002 14 3 11 .214 1 0 1 .000
2 Scott Hiller 2003–2005 50 32 18 .640 5 1 4 .200
3 Bill Daye 2006–2011 72 43 29 .597 6 2 4 .333
4 Steve Duffy 2012–2013 20 10 10 .500 1 0 1 .000
5 John Tucker 2013–2015 36 18 18 .500 1 0 1 .000
6 Sean Quirk 2016–2020 68 31 37 .456 3 2 1 .667
Cannons Lacrosse Club
— Sean Quirk 2021–2022 19 4 15 .211 — — — —
7 Brian Holman 2023–present 10 7 3 .700 2 1 1 .500

Roster

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2023 Cannons LC
# Name Nationality Position Height Weight College Grad year High school Hometown Ref.
1 Marcus Holman (C)   Attack 5 ft 10 in 180 lbs North Carolina 2013 Gilman Baltimore, Maryland [18]
2 Bubba Fairman   SSDM 6 ft 1 in 195 lbs Maryland 2022 Deerfield Sandy, Utah [19]
3 Chris Aslanian   Midfield 6 ft 3 in 200 lbs Hobart 2019 Hun School Westfield, New Jersey [20]
4 Zac Tucci   Faceoff 6 ft 1 in 195 lbs North Carolina 2022 Avon Old Farms Bedford, New Hampshire [21]
5 Colin Kirst   Goalie 6 ft 2 in 220 lbs Rutgers 2022 Seton Hall Prep Bernardsville, New Jersey [22]
8 Adam Ghitelman (C)   Goalie 5 ft 9 in 180 lbs Virginia 2011 Cold Spring Harbor Cold Spring Harbor, New York [23]
9 Pat Aslanian   SSDM 6 ft 2 in 205 lbs Georgetown 2019 Westfield Westfield, New Jersey [24]
12 Jacob Pulver   Defense 6 ft 0 in 215 lbs Cornell 2018 Fayetteville-Manlius Manlius, New York [25]
13 Craig Chick   LSM 6 ft 0 in 195 lbs Lehigh 2019 South River Edgewater, Maryland [26]
14 Zach Goodrich (C)   SSDM 6 ft 2 in 200 lbs Towson 2019 Kent Island Stevensville, Maryland [27]
19 Alexander Vardaro   Midfield 5 ft 10 in 185 lbs Georgetown 2024 Hewlett Woodmere, New York [28]
20 Matt Campbell   Midfield 6 ft 2 in 210 lbs Villanova 2023 Delbarton Madison, New Jersey
21 Carter Parlette   SSDM 5 ft 11 in 215 lbs Notre Dame 2024 Ponte Vedra Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida [29]
22 Ryan Drenner   Attack 6 ft 0 in 175 lbs Towson 2017 Westminster Finksburg, Maryland [30]
32 Asher Nolting   Attack 6 ft 2 in 210 lbs High Point 2022 Cherry Creek Greenwood Village, Colorado [31]
33 Jonathan Donville**   Attack 6 ft 0 in 195 lbs Maryland 2022 Deerfield Academy Oakville, Ontario [32]
34 Connor Kirst   Midfield 6 ft 3 in 230 lbs Rutgers 2021 Delbarton Bernardsville, New Jersey [33]
35 Ethan Rall   LSM 5 ft 9 in 186 lbs Rutgers 2023 Islip Islip, New York
40 Jack Kielty (C)**   Defense 6 ft 2 in 225 lbs Notre Dame 2021 Delbarton Morristown, New Jersey [34]
41 Bryce Young   Defense 6 ft 2 in 205 lbs Maryland 2018 St. Augustine Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey [35]
43 Jeff Trainor   SSDM 6 ft 0 in 190 lbs UMass 2021 Billerica Memorial Billerica, Massachusetts [36]
45 Adam Charlambides   Attack 6 ft 2 in 195 lbs Rutgers 2021 The Hill Academy Georgetown, Ontario [37]
50 Matt Kavanagh   Attack 5 ft 8 in 180 lbs Notre Dame 2016 Chaminade Rockville Centre, New York [38]
51 Pat Kavanagh   Attack 5 ft 10 in 175 lbs Notre Dame 2024 Chaminade Rockville Centre, New York [39]
52 Garrett Epple   Defense 6 ft 1 in 215 lbs Notre Dame 2017 Calvert Hall Baltimore, Maryland [40]
66 Max Wayne   Defense 6 ft 4 in 215 lbs Christopher Newport 2022 Rock Ridge Ashburn, Virginia [41]
77 Cade van Raaphorst   Defense 6 ft 1 in 215 lbs Duke 2019 Desert Vista Phoenix, Arizona [42]

(C) indicates captain[43][44]

*Indicates player is on Holdout list[45]

**Indicates player is on PUP list

^Indicates player is on sabbatical[46]

Coaching staff

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  • Head coach – Brian Holman
  • Assistant coach – Jim Mitchell
  • Assistant coach – Kyle Hartzell

MLL award winners

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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

PLL award winners

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Eamon McEneaney Attackman of the Year

Welles Crowther Humanitarian Award

Jimmy Regan Teammate Award

Season-by-season records

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Year W L % Regular season finish Playoffs
Boston Cannons (MLL)
2001 3 11 .214 2nd in American Division Lost semifinal 12–11 to Bayhawks
2002 7 7 .500 2nd in American Division Lost semifinal 15–10 to Bayhawks
2003 7 5 .583 2nd in American Division Lost semifinal 20–14 to Lizards
2004 8 4 .667 1st in American Division Won semifinal 24–16 over Bayhawks
Lost championship 13–11 to Barrage
2005 10 2 .883 1st in American Division Lost semifinal 19–14 to Lizards
2006 8 4 .667 2nd in Eastern Conference Lost semifinal 17–12 to Barrage
2007 5 7 .417 3rd in Eastern Conference –
2008 7 5 .583 3rd in Eastern Conference –
2009 6 6 .500 Tied for 3rd in MLL Lost semifinal 11–10 to Outlaws
2010 8 4 .667 Tied for 1st in MLL Lost semifinal 13–9 to Bayhawks
2011 9 3 .750 1st in MLL Won semifinal 14–13 over Bayhawks
Won championship 10–9 over Hamilton Nationals
2012 9 5 .643 3rd in MLL Lost semifinal 16–10 to Bayhawks
2013 5 9 .357 6th in MLL –
2014 6 8 .529 5th in MLL –
2015 8 6 .571 4th in MLL Lost semifinal 16–15 to Lizards
2016 8 6 .571 7th in MLL –
2017 3 11 .214 9th in MLL –
2018 5 9 .357 7th in MLL –
2019 9 7 .563 3rd in MLL Lost semifinal 17–15 to Denver
2020 3 2 .600 4th in MLL Won championship 13–10 vs. Denver
Cannons Lacrosse Club (PLL)
2021 3 6 .333 7th in PLL Lost quarterfinals 13–9 to Atlas
2022 1 9 .100 8th in PLL –
2023 7 3 .700 2nd in PLL Lost semifinals 17-6 to Waterdogs
Boston Cannons (PLL)
Totals 145 139 .517 Total playoff record 5–13 (.278 win pct.)

Draft history

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First round selections (MLL Collegiate Draft)

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First round delections (PLL Collegiate Draft)

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  • 2021: None
  • 2022: None
  • 2023: None

First round selections (PLL Entry Draft)

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Community involvement

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The Cannons often reach out to the local community, hosting a variety of lacrosse camps and events for local youth.[59] 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

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  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". Archived from the original on 2017-07-30. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
  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". Archived from the original on 2020-07-26. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  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. ^ Hass, Trevor (June 4, 2021). "Cannons Lacrosse Club fall to Redwoods in Premier League Lacrosse debut at Gillette Stadium". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  17. ^ "Return of Denver Outlaws Highlights PLL's Host Cities Announcement". www.usalaxmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  18. ^ "Marcus Holman". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  19. ^ "Bubba Fairman". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  20. ^ "Chris Aslanian". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  21. ^ "Zac Tucci". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  22. ^ "Colin Kirst". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  23. ^ "Adam Ghitelman". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  24. ^ "Pat Aslanian". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  25. ^ "Jake Pulver". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  26. ^ "Craig Chick". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  27. ^ "Zach Goodrich". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  28. ^ "Alexander Vardaro". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  29. ^ "Carter Parlette". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  30. ^ "Ryan Drenner". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  31. ^ "Asher Nolting". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  32. ^ Penders, P. J. "Jonathan Donville". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  33. ^ "Connor Kirst". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  34. ^ "Jack Kielty". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  35. ^ "Bryce Young". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  36. ^ "Jeff Trainor". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  37. ^ "Adam Charalambides". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  38. ^ "Matt Kavanagh". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  39. ^ "Pat Kavanagh". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  40. ^ "Garrett Epple". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  41. ^ "Max Wayne". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  42. ^ "Cade van Raaphorst". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  43. ^ @pllcannons (June 4, 2021). "2021 Cannons LC Captains:" (Tweet). Retrieved June 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ "@PLLCannons". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  45. ^ "@PLLCannons". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  46. ^ "@PLLCannons". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  47. ^ "Cannons Roster". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  48. ^ "@PLLCannons". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  49. ^ "Results of the 2007 MLL Collegiate Draft". LaxPower. 2007-05-31. Archived from the original on 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  50. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  51. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  52. ^ "Major League Lacrosse Draft Selections by Team". LaxPower. 2010-06-07. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  53. ^ "MLL Draft Results | Major League Lacrosse". Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  54. ^ "2013 Collegiate Draft Results | Major League Lacrosse". Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  55. ^ "2014 Collegiate Draft Results | Major League Lacrosse". Archived from the original on 2014-02-09. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  56. ^ "2015 Collegiate Draft Results | Major League Lacrosse". Archived from the original on 2015-01-26. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  57. ^ "Atlanta Blaze Select Duke's Myles Jones No.1 Overall in 2016 MLL Collegiate Draft | Major League Lacrosse". Archived from the original on 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  58. ^ "2021 Entry Draft Results". Premier Lacrosse League. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  59. ^ "Boston Cannons Lacrosse Camp Schedule". Activity Hero.
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