Look at Cannons Schedule 2016

     As we get closer and closer to the new year of 2016, that also means we are getting closer and closer to the start of the 2016 Major League Lacrosse Season. Yesterday at 2 P.M. the 2016 MLL schedules were revealed here is what the Cannons schedule will like and I will also talk about the games I'm looking forward to watching this Cannons season.

4/23 Boston Cannons @ Charlotte Hounds 7:30 P.M.
4/30 Atlanta Blaze @ Boston Cannons 7:00 P.M.
5/12 Boston Cannons @ Chesapeake Bayhawks 7:30 P.M.
5/14 Rochester Rattlers @ Boston Cannons 7:00 P.M.
5/21 Ohio Machine @ Boston Cannons 7:00 P.M.
5/28 Boston Cannons @ Denver Outlaws 8:30 P.M.
6/4 Boston Cannons @ Atlanta Blaze 7:00 P.M.
6/11 Charlotte Hounds @ Boston Cannons 7:00 P.M.
6/18 Boston Cannons @ New York Lizards 7:00 P.M.
6/23 Chesapeake Bayhawks @ Boston Cannons 7:30 P.M.
7/2 Boston Cannons @ Rochester Rattlers 5:00 P.M.
7/15 Boston Cannons @ Ohio Machine 7:00 P.M.
7/30 New York Lizards @ Boston Cannons 6:30 P.M.
8/6 Florida Launch @ Boston Cannons 5:00 P.M.
   
4/23 Boston Cannons @ Charlotte Hounds 7:30 P.M.
First game you have to look forward to is the first game of the year against the Charlotte Hounds, the first game of the season always gives you an idea of how the whole season will play out.

4/30 Atlanta Blaze @ Boston Cannons 7:00 P.M.    
The next game you have to look at is the Cannons home opener of the 2016 season which will also be the first time the Cannons will host the new MLL team the Atlanta Blaze this is a big game because, its the Cannons first chance to really get to play this brand new team and not only that but it is also their Home Opener so it adds a little more meaning. Not only is it just the Home opener but also its the return of former Head Coach John Tucker when they play the Cannons.

6/4 Boston Cannons @ Atlanta Blaze 7:00 P.M.
Really the rest of the games are decently like big games but I don't think the next real big game for the Cannons is when the Cannons head down to Atlanta to play the Blaze for the first time ever in Atlanta. That is a game to look forward to because, it will be the first time the Cannons will have to travel to Atlanta which is one of the furthest teams they will play all year.

6/18 Boston Cannons @ New York Lizards 7:00 P.M.  
The next big game is when the Cannons return to the spot of the crime where the Cannons lost to the New York Lizards in a thrilling overtime game last year. The Lizards are once again going to be the team everyone will be chasing the Lizards have so much depth with Rob Pannell, Paul Rabil, Drew Adams, Greg Gurenlian, and Jake Tripuka (who was just traded to New York yesterday). It seems the rich just keep getting richer and that is why this is such a big game because it can be seen as a measuring stick to where the Cannons are at.

7/30 New York Lizards @ Boston Cannons 6:30 P.M.
The Cannons playing the Lizards is always a big game and it gets even better because this will be the first time former Cannons Star Paul Rabil will return to play against the team that drafted him. Rabil last year missed out in the game against the Cannons in Boston. These two teams have never really liked each other so whenever these two teams square off you are always going to be in for a great contest.

Expansion Draft Thoughts

     It's been a couple of days since the conclusion of the Expansion Draft, although the Cannons did lose Goalie Adam Ghitleman, Defensemen Brodie Merrill, and Midfielder Ryan Tucker, I was really not that surprised with these departures. Although it always is sad to see players leave this may have been the best case scenario.
   

     With the first pick in the Expansion Draft former Cannons Coach John Tucker ended the Cannons goalie controversy with the debate of Ghitleman and Jordan Burke, and with the first pick Tucker took Ghitleman. Although Ghitleman is a loss I love that Burke is staying in Boston he was the net minder who really lead the Cannons to a title just a couple of years ago, and I think we could see Burke get back to that kind of Goalie, this year.
     With the second pick the new Atlanta Blaze selected veteran Defensemen Brodie Merrill as I said in the past I love Merrill and think he is an outstanding Defensemen but he is getting up their in age but the Cannons still have a solid core of D-Poles still on their roster who are very talented and I think really help boast their successful defense last year. But I do feel the loss of Merrill will hurt the defense a little bit, I think the Cannons will definitely find players to fill in the shoes of Merrill, wouldn't surprise me if they look at a D-Pole in the Collegiate Draft.
     Finally with the third pick the Blaze selected Ryan Tucker (yes the son of the Blaze's Coach/GM) absolutely no surprise here Ryan's dad is running this new team so no surprise at all. It is sad to lose Ryan who had a great year with the Cannons in his rookie season. I think the loss hurts the Cannons a little bit Ryan was not a big time do it all guy but he definitely helped in big situations. But these things happen and the Cannons will most certainly have the next man-up mentality to replace Tucker.
     After losing three players with the first three picks in the draft the Cannons decided to protect defensemen Mitch Belisle which I think was a smart idea, you already loss one part to your defense in Merrill you couldn't afford to possibly lose another.
     Look for an another article later tonight or early tomorrow looking at the Cannons schedule for this season which will be announced today at 2 P.M.!

Reaction to Cannons Protection List

Yesterday was a big day for the Cannons announcing Sean Quirk as their new Head Coach, but that wasn’t the only news of the day. The other news was the Cannons announcing their 10-12 man protected player list in the Cannons situation they protected 12 players.

The 12 players protected are, Brent Adams, Midfield, Kevin Buchanan, Attack, Davey Emala, Attack, John Glesener, Attack, Josh Hawkins, Midfield, Will Manny, Attack, Scott McWilliams, Defense, Joe Nardella, Midfield, Scott Ratliff, Defense, Max Seibald, Midfield, Wells Stanwick, Attack, and Chad Wiedmaier, Defense.

While the Cannons left Craig Bunker, Midfield/FO, Jordan Burke, Goalie, Rob Emery, Midfield, Tyler German, Midfield, Adam Ghitelman, Goalie, Brodie Merrill, Defense, Jack Murphy, Goalie, Ryan Tucker, Midfield and Ryan Young, Attack, all unprotected.

There is a possibility we could be some of these unprotected players return to the Cannons in a couple scenarios. For example if one of the unprotected players for the Cannons is selected, the Cannons can then pick one player from their unprotected list and protect that person. For example Ryan Tucker gets chosen (which is possible since his father will be the Head Coach of the new team Atlanta Blaze), the Cannons then decide to protect Jordan Burke. That’s how it works every time someone from your team is selected you get to choose one player from your unprotected list and make him protected and he is back on your roster for next season. Another way a player can return to the Cannons is if they are not selected at all in the Expansion Draft, if that happens it is not guaranteed they will be back on the roster since the Cannons can make the choice if they want to hold onto this player or send him to the player pool.

I love the fact that Cannons are trying to hold on to their core offense group of guys and the young guys trying to keep them all together. I think this core solid group of 12 for now are great pieces that new head coach Sean Quirk can build around

Sean Quirk Named Boston Cannons Head Coach

   

     VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the hiring of Sean Quirk and no it is not just because he is from my Hometown of Swampscott, Massachusetts. and I have a personal relationship with him. He is a constant winner at every level he has played or coached at.
     As a player he attended Springfield College and played Goalie for the team helping lead the Pride to a Division 2 National Championship in 1994, that was not the only accolade he would receive as a player being a 2 time Division 2 All American, and in 1995 was chosen as Division 2 Goalie of the Year.
     Quirk who had spent the last 18 years at Endicott College, and initially stepped down after this past season, helped build and establish a winning program at Endicott. In Quirk's time at Endicott he posted a record of 243-95.
     Quirk brings a constant ability to win at every level and I think that will Translate big time with the Boston Cannons. Quirk's resume really speaks for himself and is arguably one of the greatest Division 3 Lacrosse Coaches of all time.

Summer of the Boston Cannons and Who will Cannons Protect

     This offseason for the Boston Cannons has already been a little crazy with now former Coach John Tucker leaving the Cannons to head the newly added Atlanta Blaze team. Not only that but the Cannons will be forced to go into a year of an expansion year without a head coach at this time. It will be tough for the Boston Cannons to replace such a talented coach in John Tucker who was voted the 2015 MLL Brine Coach of the Year after leading the new look Cannons to an 8-6 record after getting rid of Superstar Paul Rabil. The loss of John Tucker will be a tough task and the man who will have to replace him will have big shoes to fit.

     Not only will the Cannons have to find a new head coach but also need to prepare for the Upcoming MLL Expansion Draft that will take place on November 18th, 2015 starting at 2 P.M.. In preparation for this Expansion Draft the Cannons have already chosen the 23 players the initially wanted to protect. Those players are: Brent Adams (M), Mitchell Belisle (D), Martin Bowes (M), Kevin Buchanan (A), Craig Bunker (M/FO), Jordan Burke (G), David Emala (A), Rob Emery (M), Tyler German (M), Adam Ghitelman (G), John Glesener (A), Josh Hawkins (M), William Manny (A), Scott McWilliams (D), Brodie Merrill (D), Jack Murphy (G), Joe Nardella (M), Scott Ratliff (D), Maxwell Seibald (M), Wells Stanwick (A), Ryan Tucker (M), Chadwick Wiedmaier (D), Ryan Young (A).

     Of those 23 players on the list of protected players, the list will be cut down to only 10 or 12 players by Wednesday October 7th at 5 P.M. The amount of players the Cannons decides to protect depends on a certain variable, if the Cannons decide to protect two goalies then they can only protect ten total players, but if they decide to only protect one or no goalies they can protect 12 players. Their will be some tough decisions the Cannons will have to make here is how I think the Cannons may go.

     1) Will Manny-The Captain of this Cannons team is an automatic lock their is no way the Cannons do not protect Manny, he is the leader of this team and executes well in big time situations. Manny lead the team in points with 44 as well as being the teams leading distributor with 15 assists, he also added 28 goals which was good for second most in goals on the team. Manny is the do it all guy for the Cannons so would be a huge surprise if they did not protect him not only because he is young but he really did it all for the Cannons last year.

     2) Max Seibald-The man who was apart of the blockbuster deal that sent Paul Rabil to New York and brought him to the Cannons, is someone that the Cannons should hold on to. Seibald in his first season with the Cannons had a great year including being selected to the MLL All-Star game. Seibald had 17 goals (2 2pt goals) and 9 assists giving him 28 points for the year. Seibald anchored the first line Midfield for the Cannons, and really helped some of the younger guys step up and have breakout years. Seibald has been in the league for 7 years though which could make some Cannons believe they should maybe pass on him and protect a young guy but I think you have to protect someone with as much Star power as Seibald has.

     3) Kevin Buchanan-Has been a part of the Cannons team since 2010 and has been a huge contributor since then, he has helped bring a Championship home to Boston and has constantly helped the Cannons every year whether it be playing Attack or helping out at Midfield, Buchanan really seems to thrive in every situation he is placed in. Last year Buchanan contributed 21 goals (1 2pt goal) and 8 assists giving him 30 points total for the season which lead all Midfielders on the team. But just like Seibald the question of age is the same deal with Buchanan who has also been in the league 7 years, some look at age in the MLL and think it is a bad thing while others look at and think it's a good thing and I think holding on to Buchanan would be a great thing for the Cannons since he seems to show no signs of slowing down, especially when he is being paired with someone like Seibald to run the first line Midfield.

     4) Wells Stanwick-Yes I think the Cannons will protect Steele Stanwick's little brother and former Johns Hopkins star Wells. I personally LOVE Wells' game he is a unique finisher and does whatever you ask of him, which we saw on display in his four years at Johns Hopkins putting up 208 career points, 84 goals and 124 assists. Stanwick came right in from the end of his college season and only played in 6 games and had 8 points (4 Goals, 4 assists). I think the Cannons look at Wells' college film and realize that if they can add him to the mix at Attack and actually get to see a full season from Wells they could have a star on their hands and that is why I believe they hold onto Wells and protect him.

     5) Scott Ratliff-The most exciting Long-Stick Midfielder to watch is absolutely sticking around with the Cannons, Ratliff plays great defense as well as helps so much in the transition game as well. Let these numbers sink in Ratliff had 20 points last year for the Cannons yeah as a LSM he had 20 points! That is crazy he had 8 goals (3 2pt goals) and 9 assists. Ratliff also lead the Cannons in ground balls with 81 essentially Ratliff is just a freak of nature who can run around and shut down any teams best Midfielder and when Ratliff gets the ball on a clear or off a draw coming in off the wing you better watch out because this man is a freak of nature and NOBODY passes up on someone like Ratliff.

     6) John Glesener-The former Army star suited up for the Cannons last year and when he stepped on the field he was big for the Cannons. Glesener only saw playing time in 4 games last year having 7 goals (3 2pt goals) and 2 assists giving him 12 points on the season. Glesener in his Rookie season really caught my eye just like Stanwick, but Glesener caught my eye for a different reason unlike Stanwick who is an unbelievable distributor, Glesener has an the ability to finish and score goals at will. Glesener is 6'3 214 Ilbs. yeah that is a pretty scary and big attack men right there he backs down from nobody and I love that. I think just like Stanwick you give Glesener another year in this Cannons system and the sky is the limits for him.

     7) Brodie Merill- He has been around this game for years and has slowly seen his numbers decline the last few years, but to me you still have to hope he is what he used to be, and I think he does have glimpses in which he shows his old self. Which is why I think the Cannons protect him don't get me wrong Merill is still a great close defensemen and can still stay go out their and cover the best Attackmen on any team, but Merill now has to bully them a little bit more really use his strength against these younger quicker Attackmen, and I think Merill can still do that for a few more years which is why I think the Cannons protect him.

     8) Josh Hawkins- A local kid from Amherst, Massachusetts has to be protected by the Cannons right? YES! Hawkins is not your typical short-stick Midfielder, who can go out and produce points like it's nobody's job that is not how Josh really operates, He is a in your face chase you around short-stick defender and he can shut down the best Midfielders on most teams. Hawkins who saw himself get traded mid-way through last season to his hometown team of the Cannons played well in his time with the team. Their is one thing the Cannons have to realize if they protect Hawkins they are getting somebody who can do a little bit offensively but they are getting someone who is a big time defensive player.

     9) David Emala-The question last year was who was this guy? And where the heck did we find him? Before this season Emala had played a total of 3 games in the MLL for the Charlotte Hounds, and he did nothing putting up 0 points in 3 games. Something must have just clicked when he put on a Cannons uniform and exploded out of the gate. Scoring 33 goals and dishing out 5 assists giving him 38 points on the season. Emala came out of no where and pretty much became one of the Cannons go to opinions when they needed someone to step up big. Emala provided a great scorer at the Attack position along side do it all man Will Manny. The whole league was blown away by his performance, which lead him to earn the Brine's Most Improved Player Award. Their is no way the Cannons pass on someone who seems to be as talented and has such breakout potential like Emala, if their is one thing the Cannons are hoping it is they can keep finding diamonds in the rough like Emala.

     10) Mitch Belisle-Is another outstanding close defender who helped anchor the Cannons defense last year but just like Merill they are both starting to get up their in age. But it seems like at times that doesn't seem to be slowing down Belisle which shows why he was selected to the MLL All-Star game last year. I love the way he plays and he is constantly winning where ever he goes, and who doesn't want a guy on their team that all he wants to do is win.

     11) Brent Adams-Another somewhat diamond in the rough became a nice component to the Cannons Midfield last year. Adams who has spent four years in the MLL 3 of those years coming with the Cannons really displayed his ability to know the system and could contribute big time now that Rabil was gone. Adams had 17 goals (1 2pt Goal) and had 6 assists. Adams provided a nice ability to step up and fill in that 3rd Midfielder on the first Midfield line since the Cannons got rid of Rabil. Adams displayed a great ability to score and move the ball and when you have Midfielders who can score the ball that takes some of the pressure off the Attackmen which is exactly what the Cannons did last year with their great Midfield play. Not to mention Adams was also selected to the MLL All-Star game last year so I think it would be hard to let someone like Adams walk.

     12) Jordan Burke-This was the toughest choice the Cannons will have to make which is at the Goalie position Jordan Burke or Adam Ghitlelman. I think it is Burke, an NO it is not because Ghitelman tried to go coast to coast and score the game winning goal against the Lizards last year! It is simply because Burke is a winner in the MLL I am not saying Ghitelman is not but Ghitelman has not won in the MLL. In Ghitelman's 5 year career he has a record of 16-25 which is well under .500 and when you look at Burke does he have moments where he struggles in the cage yes everyone does but Burke has won before and most importantly he has won here! And I don't think the Cannons are going to let a goalie like Jordan Burke walk because he has been around this team for so long and has played well whenever the Cannons need him to play well and that is why I think the Cannons protect Burke over Ghitelman.

     That is who I personally believe the Cannons should hold onto I look forward to hearing how the Cannons go. I will post a blog with my immediate reaction and any other news that happens with the Cannons heading into this upcoming season!