The Cannons Attack may not be
as deep as it was last year but it definitely still has some great depth, with
some great rising stars who could be threats in the league for years to come.
All these players are currently listed on the Boston Cannons roster on their
official website as Attackmen.
First up we are going to look
at some of the guys who are listed on the Cannons roster but I don't think have
a chance to play a game for the Cannons this year and most likely will just be
practice players:
Tom Compitello Stony Brook '11
Tom Played at Stony Brook from 2008 through 2011
and recorded 68 goals and 78 assists in 51 games for the Seawloves.
Compitello's great career at Stony Brook made him a interesting prospect in the
2011 MLL Collegiate draft and in the 5th round the Cannons took a shot on him
selecting him 28th overall in that draft. In fact Compitello never played a
game for the Cannons that season and eventually was let go come time for the
2012 Supplemental Draft, where he was picked up by the Hamilton Nationals (no
longer exist) in the 6th round 47th overall. There Compitello played in a total
of two games, and scored two goals (his only two career MLL points) in a game
against the Denver Outlaws. Compitello was once again let go at seasons end,
and was selected in the 2013 Supplemental Draft by the Denver Outlaws in the
2nd round 15th overall. In that season for Denver he played in 1 game recording
no points, and was once again let go at seasons end. Compitello had been out of
the league for two full season, when in this years 2016 Supplemental draft the
Cannons selected him in the 14th round with 120th pick. I think this is just a
last chance for Compitello and I can't really seeing him getting anytime unless
a lot of injuries happen to the Cannons.
Greg Rogowski Merrimack College '09
Greg Rogowski played his college ball at Division 2
power Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts from 2006 through 2009.
Rogowski had been a star at Merrimack helping put them on the map and building
what is now a often powerhouse in division 2 lacrosse in Merrimack. Rogowski
helped anchor Merrimack to not only its first ever NCCA Tournament appearance,
but as well as its first Final Four appearance. Rogowski's numbers might blow
you way just by seeing them at his time at Merrimack he produced 313 points
(School record) with 213 goals (School record) and 100 assists. He was also an
All-American all four years at Merrimack as well. Rogowski has found more
success in the Indoor league rather than the field game he was selected three
times once in 2012 by the Rochester Rattlers, then in the Supplemental draft in
2013 by the Hamilton Nationals and then in 2014 by the Denver Outlaws, things
never worked out in Rochester, Hamilton or in Denver never playing a game. The
Cannons selected Rogowski in the 7th round with the 60th pick. Rogowski can
only hope to get a chance to get on the field and try and show the success that
he had back at Merrimack but that will be difficult with the talent the Cannons
already have at Attack.
This player is the first guy they take from
Practice Squad or if someone is missing games or injuries happen at the Attack
Position:
Beau Wood Tufts '14
Beau Wood was apart of the beginning of the empire
that is now known as Tufts lacrosse and Wood was a big part in creating. Wood
who played at Tufts from 2011-2014, every year Wood was apart of the Tufts team
they made the tournament. In his freshmen year losing in the National Championship
game to Salisbury 19-7, then the following year losing to Cortland St. 12-10
(who would lose to Salisbury in title game that year), then once again lost in
the tournament this time in the 2nd round losing to RIT 14-5 (who lost in title
game to Stevenson). Wood had broke at in his sophomore and junior years as a
starter but exploded his senior year scoring 73goals and dishing out 30assists
to produce 103pts and helped Tufts start the streak of back-to-back titles
beating Salisbury 12-9 in the 2014 title game. Wood's goal scoring threat
really helped back him a threat at Tufts, his success in college helped give
him a chance in the MLL when in 2015 the Rochester Rattlers gave him a chance,
Wood played in one game but never did anything for the Rattlers and was let go
at seasons end. In this years Supplemental Draft the Cannons took a chance and
selected the Tufts product in the 5th round 42nd overall. I personally think
Wood does have the ability to play at this level, I think if anyone is hurt, or
has to miss a couple of games I think Wood might be the first player they call
and tell to suit up.
The Rookies:
John Uppgren Tufts '16
John Uppgren was selected in this
years Collegiate draft in the 6th round 49th overall, Uppgren who is currently
a Senior at Tufts University is a big time player. Uppgren is a guy from around the Boston area since he goes to
Tufts, and really is an excellent player and there is so much to rave about
him. I know you are probably think, D3?? Why would anyone take someone who
couldn’t play D1, and to that I say some lacrosse players are late bloomers or
would have rather gone to a better school educational then play at a lesser
school that is Division one. But I will let Uppgren’s numbers speak for himself
as a Freshmen he put up 23 goals and had 11 assists, not a bad first year. If you think that year was impressive
Uppgren followed it up with a impressive year in which he scored 66 goals and
dished out 58 assists. And just last year he produced 76 goals and had 54
assists. Uppgren is an exciting player to watch with his great ability to get
to the net and finish and he has not afraid to have a fancy finish. Uppgren is
currently on a mission to help Tufts 3-peat, once that mission is over his next
one will be to help the Cannons win a title and I think he can do that. The way
I am looking at it Uppgren might be the 5th or 6th Attackmen for the Cannons
and I think that's scary with the talent he has. And when he gets his chances
he will make a big impact so watch out for Uppgren this season. And one final
note Uppgren is a winner so expect him to bring that winning mentality to the
Cannons as well.
Matt Thistle High Point '16
Matt Thistle is one of those players
you love to watch. He is a 3-Time Captain at High Point, and was a great pick
in this years Collegiate Draft when the Cannons selected him in the 7th round
59th overall. Thistle grew up in Chelmsford, Massachusetts so he is a local
Boston guy and you know he will have no excuse to miss a practice or a game
because he is from around here. Just watching Thistle makes me feel confident
that he could be a great addition if he is ever called upon to step up for the
Cannons. Possibly one of the big reasons why Thistle fell towards the end of
the draft this year was his size Thistle is 5’7, but he actually uses his
height to his advantage using his height to sneak pass defenders and avoid
taking brutal hits. Thistle also posses great speed that he uses to blow passed
his defenders. Thistle also has an array of moves he can use to create separation
and get his shot off. Thistle is also not afraid to fight through defenders and
actually embraces contact, and when Thistle gets in close he has the ability to
have some nifty finishes to beat the keeper. Thistle reminds me at times of
Joey Sankey, Sankey and Thistle both have in common that they are very small
Attackmen and use their small size to their advantage to help them finish. And
we saw how well Sankey had of a season last year so you never know. People
might think I am crazing by saying that but you rarely ever see High Point
games on TV so you have to go find tape of him and watch him he posses some of
the same skills but I think is a lesser man's version of Joey Sankey but that
might be what the Cannons are looking for. In all Thistle is a never say
die player and I think if he gets the chance he might be like Tom Brady and
make the most of his chances expect him to be the 5th or 6th Attackmen for the
Cannons.
The Anchors:
John Glessener Army '15
John Glessener Army '15
John Glessener became a big part of the Cannons
Attack last season when he got the chance to play. Glessener only got to play
in 4 of the Cannons 14 regular season games producing 7 goals (3 2pt-goals) and
dishing out 2 assists. Glessener really made his name heard in the playoffs
last year when the Cannons fell in a crazy Overtime game to the eventual
Champion the New York Lizards. In that game Glessener scored two goals and
really helped the Cannons stay in the game. Glessener made a name for himself
in his little playing time by using his big body to power through defenders at
6'3 215lbs, Glessener is one scary and big Attackmen. Glessener's shooting
ability makes him a scary good Attackmen when you possibly add him in the
starting lineup with a great feeder in Will Manny and fellow goal scorer David
Emala that is jury scary. Just imagine when Glessener also plays in more than a
third of a season for the Cannons the numbers he could produce could be scary
good.
Wells Stanwick Johns Hopkins '15
Wells Stanwick the younger brother of Steele made
his name known with the way he played during his senior year at Johns Hopkins
last year and helped carry that play into his time last for the Cannons when he
got the chance to step on the field. Wells played in 7 of the Cannons 15 games
last year producing a total of 9 points with 5 goals and 4 assists. Only having
an opportunity to see Wells play in a little less than half their games last
year definitely makes me think he has a chance to be something special. Wells
has the ability to score but at times it seems like Wells would rather set his
teammates up which is something he does very well. Wells is a great quarterback
behind X who can really set up his teammates and draw the slides to come to him
a little early because teams know of his great ability to feed the rock, but if
that slide doesn't come Wells is also very capable of finishing as well. If
Will Manny misses anytime this year Wells could step in and fill his role
easily, and I think having Wells as an option as possible a 4th Attackmen is a
scary thing to think about, but I also believe it is possible he could start.
David Emala North Carolina '13
What can anyone say but David Emala came out of no
where to have a breakout season last year for the Cannons. Emala had spent the
previous season before suiting up with the Charlotte Hounds where he produced
no points. Then he was selected in the 2015 Supplemental Draft by the Cannons
in the 2nd round 12th overall. Emala was immediately given a chance to shine
for the Cannons last year, playing in all 15 of the Cannons games last year.
Emala had a breakout year producing 33 goals along with 6 assists totaling 39
points. Emala really became the Cannons go to scoring Attackmen last year being
someone that the Cannons knew could always provide them with instant offense.
Emala lead the Cannons in goals and really provided a great finisher and
shooter and by teams trying to lock him off would then leave a mismatch with
Will Manny having the advantage. The dynamic duo of Manny and Emala helped lead
the Cannons in being such an effect group last year. Emala's fantastic year
helped him be named the 2015 MLL Brine Most Improved Player award. Don't expect
anything to change this season, in fact expect Emala to continue to build of
last season and see if he can have an even better season.
Will Manny UMass '12
The Captain Will Manny has spent his entire MLL
career with the Boston Cannons since he was selected in the 2nd round of the
2012 MLL draft 14th overall. Ever since that day Manny has been nothing but
great for the Cannons stepping up and answering the bell every time the Cannons
asked him to step up. Manny showed in the 2014 season that he could be star of
the Cannons offense when he produced 52 points that year being the teams second
leading scorer behind Paul Rabil who produced 54 points for the Cannons that
year. Then after shipping Rabil away Manny really took over the leadership role
and showed it big time last year. Manny produced 46 points, and 29 goals (1 2pt-goal)
and 16 assists. Manny produced 46 points in only 13 games, missing 2 games last
year. Manny was an MLL All-Star last year and really took the name of the
Cannons star player. I don't expect Manny to slow down anytime soon and I
expect him to be the anchor of this Cannons Attack this season.
Now here is my depth chart for the Boston Cannons
Attack:
Starter Will Manny UMass '12
Starter David Emala North Carolina '13
Starter John Glessener Army '15
Starter John Glessener Army '15
4th Wells Stanwick Johns Hopkins '15
5th Matt Thistle High Point '16
6th John Uppgren Tufts '16
7th Beau Wood Tufts '14
8th Tom Compitello Stony Brook '11
9th Greg Rogowski Merrimack College '09
No comments:
Post a Comment