Cannons Position Preview: Midfielders

As we get closer and closer to the season kicking off, I am going to take a look at the Cannons roster and give you my thoughts on the players at all positions Attack, Midfield, Defense, Long-Stick Midfielder, Short-Stick Defensive Midfielder, Goalie, to Face-off. As of now the Cannons have a pretty deep roster, and have the potential to make a shot at a title run this year. Just all depends on how these players play together as a team.

The Midfield position gives the Cannons a real added depth this season after making some moves to bring in some big name Midfielders during the off-season. Guys who can add depth to the Cannons Midfield unit and can help them make a deep unit that has a scary 1-2 punch line of Midfield units. This Cannons Midfield unit can honestly hang with some off the best group of Midfielders on any other team as well. This unit might be the best core group the Cannons have had at the Midfield position ever.

Practice Squad Players:

Mike Begley Marist '15

Mike Begley was a 2016 Supplemental draft pick by the Cannons in the 4th round. Begley had a successful career at Marist scoring 76 goals 36 assists in his career giving him 112pts in his time at Marist. Begley was a goal scoring threat at Marist but just right now I don't think he will see any playing time for the Cannons because the Cannons already have a strong 7 Midfielders right now.

Martin Bowes Hartford '12

Martin Bowes who hails from Quincy, Massachusetts is a local guy which makes sense why the Cannons selected him in the 8th round 64th overall in the 2012 college draft. Bowes being a local guy will mean he can help the Cannons as a member of the practice squad but I can't seeing him seeing any serious time anytime soon with this deep core of Midfielders the Cannons have.

Harrison Cotter Endicott College '15

Harrison Cotter is an Endicott College guy, he was selected in this years Supplemental draft. It makes sense because he played for Quirk in his time at Endicott and I am sure he knows the work ethic Coach Quirk is looking for. I think having someone who knows the way Quirk likes his team to play will help the team a little bit but can't see Cotter touching the field at least this season.

Sean Lawton Western New England '14

Sean Lawton was on Cannons practice Squad last year, and I don't think that is changing anytime soon. He had an outstanding career at Western New England and I think he brings something unique to the Cannons practice team.

Micheal Maggio Lasell College '09

Micheal Maggio was selected in 10th Round (75th Overall) in the 2014 Supplemental Draft. Maggio the Winchester, MA native has spent the last couple of season with the Cannons. Maggio first played for the Cannons in 2013 playing in one game for them and registered his only career MLL goal in that game. Maggio did not play a game in the 2014 season for the Cannons but did play in one game last season doing nothing in the game though. Maggio who graduated from Lasell College in 2009 did leave behind a good legacy there. He is seventh on their all-time scoring list with 95 goals and 40 assists, a total of 135 points. Maggio is a local guy so it's possible he might suit up for the Cannons in one game this year.

Spencer Schnell Ohio Wesleyan University '14

Spencer Schnell joined the Boston Cannons origination last February when the Cannons added from the MLL Player pool. Schnell had a successful career at Ohio Wesleyan University where he graduated in 2014. In his time there he recorded 148 points with 102 goals and 46 assists. Schnell seems to have the ability to score and could be a great scoring threat if the Cannons need one. But Schnell spent last season on the Cannons practice squad and I think that might stay the same this year as well.

The Rookie:

Challen Rogers Stony Brook '16

Challen Rogers was the sole Midfielder the Cannons selected in the 2016 MLL Draft draft him with the 32nd pick overall in the 4th round. Rogers was the Cannons 3rd overall pick at the time. But after dealing Greg Coholan who the Cannons picked with their first selection for the team and sixth overall. Coholan was dealt in the trade for goalie Tyler Fiorito, so now Rogers is the only Midfielder that the Cannons selected in the draft this year, that can play both ways. The Canadian product has been a big part of Stony Brook's offense since he stepped on campus. Rogers is a slick midfielder who uses his big 6'4 frame and 220 lbs. of weight to body and bully his defenders to the net. Rogers has played in every game for the Seawolves since he stepped on campus and only did not start one game his Sophomore year, but outside of that game he started every other career game. Entering Rogers' senior season he already has had an impressive career totaling 149 points coming into this season with 70 goals, and 79 assists. So far this season Rogers has 5 goals and 12 assists giving him 17 points for the season. Rogers' has been a big part of the Seawolves success so far this season helping them to a 4-1 record and being ranked the #15 team in the country to date. Rogers is the due it all guy on the offensive end he can score he can pass he can do it all and he could be a big part of this Cannons core midfield group if he wants to be. The big question is though will he choose Box or field lacrosse? If he chooses field there is no doubt he could be an impact this season with his size and ability.

The Playmakers:

  

Rob Emery Virginia '14

Rob Emery was selected in the 2014 collegiate MLL draft in the 3rd round 17th overall. Emery has helped the Cannons ever since he stepped on the field. Emery left behind a solid career at Virginia with 96 points and 73 career goals. Emery was a big time goal scorer coming to the Cannons and really tried to continue to bring his ability to score to the Cannons and he has done that. Emery got the chance in his rookie season to show what he was made of in 2014. Emery played in 10 games that year scoring 10 goals on the year and dished out 2 assists. Emery showed the Cannons that he had the ability to score goals and could still do that in the big time. Emery followed up his rookie season with a better 2015 season. Emery played in 12 games last year scoring 12 goals (1 2-pt goal) and dished out 5 assists finishing with 18 points on the year. Emery has displayed a great scoring ability in his time with the Cannons. In fact in his MLL career he is averaging a goal a game, not to bad. Expect Emery to build on the season he had last year and maybe even have a little better if the Cannons give him more chances to play.

Michael Rooney Stony Brook '15

Michael Rooney the recent Stony Brook graduate spent the season following his college graduation not playing in Major League Lacrosse at all! If you look at his career numbers at Stony Brook you would wonder why no one took a shot on him last year. But this year the Cannons decided not to miss out on Rooney when the Cannons selected him in this years Supplemental Draft  taking him in the 1st round (6th overall). Rooney left behind a remarkable career at Stony Brook. Rooney graduated as the all-time leader in assists (121) and points (253) in school history. Rooney also set single-season school records for assists (63) and points (111). Rooney is also one of two players in Stony Brook history to record 100 goals and 100 assists in a career. If you look at the numbers Rooney looks like a stud, and it is possible he might. The one thing that might be against Rooney is his size standing at only 5'9. But the way you have to look at Rooney I think is as such great feeder. Rooney set records at Stony Brook with assists so expect him to be a big time feeder from the Midfield for the Cannons. And you can't forget he will be teaming up with his teammate from his time at Stony Brook Rogers. The duo had played together on the same Midfield line since Rooney's sophomore year, Rogers' freshmen year. Now that will be exciting just looking at the ability that Rooney has to find the open guys will be something fun to watch this year when he has the chance to suit up for the Cannons. From the way it looks I think he might be a second line Midfielder and the Cannons second line will have some great players. 

Justin Turri Duke '12

Justin Turri was acquired by the Cannons on the Collegiate draft day in which the Cannons dealt Scott Ratliff along with some other pieces to the new expansion team the Atlanta Blaze. Part of the trade sent Turri to Boston trade from Atlanta. Turri who had an outstanding career at Duke producing 122 points in his career there. Turri was originally selected in 2012 MLL Collegiate draft by the Charlotte Hounds in the second round 9th overall. In Turri's rookie season things just did not seem to work for him he only saw the field in 8 games scoring 4 goals and dishing out 5 assists. Turri was then dealt to the Denver Outlaws in the following season for a 2nd round collegiate draft pick in 2013. Turri played well in Denver playing in 15 games (1 of them being a playoff game), Turri finished the year 9 goals (2 2pt-goals) and dished out 4 assists totaling 15 points. The chance for a breakout year was there but just hadn't happened yet, But then in 2014 it all clicked but not before some crazy off-season moves. The Outlaws parted ways with Turri shipping him to the Lizards for Matt Gibson. Then Turri once again got traded this time on collegiate draft day when Turri was shipped to the Rattlers for the 3rd and 4th picks overall in the draft, along with the Lizards giving up their 2nd and 32nd overall picks. That trade must have changed the way Turri played because everything clicked once he stepped foot in Rochester in 2014 he played in every game for the Rattlers scoring 19 goals (2 2pt-goals) and dished out 13 assists giving him 34 points on the season. Turri was named the MLL's Most Improved Player. Turri helped lead the Rattlers all the way to the title game before they fell to the Outlaws in the Championship game but in the playoffs Turri also added 2 goals and 3 assists. After a remarkable 2014 season people would think things would only get better but for Turri they didn't he only played in 11 games and had 5 goals (2 2pt-goals) and had 4 assists giving him 11pts on the year. Turri was eventually made available in the Expansion draft with the new team of the Atlanta Blaze and Turri was actually selected by the Blaze before he was traded on draft day to the Cannons. Turri is probably hoping this will be his last stop and won't be traded anymore if he plays like the way did in 2014 it's possible this could be his last stop. Turri provides even more depth to this great Cannons team and the thing seems to be whenever Turri is surrounded by good players he makes those players look even better which makes him look better too. So expect another breakout year from Turri.

Brent Adams Fairfield '12

Brent Adams has been a big part of the Cannons since he arrived in Boston. Adams was originally selected in the 7th round 53rd overall by the Cheasapeake Bayhawks, before the Cannons acquired Adams via a trade. Adams had a successful college career at  Fairfield University where he was a 2012 All-American selection and two time All-ECAC First Team selection following the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In Adams time at Fairfield Adams started 40 of 53 games, recorded 100 points (68 goals, 32 assists). Adams actually spent his rookie season with the Bayhawks playing in only 6 games and scoring 1 goal and dished out 1 assist. Going into the 2013 season Adams was dealt to the Cannons. In his first season with the Cannons Adams didn't do much scoring only 4 goals and had 1 assist in 12 games.  Adams had a better second season with the Cannons scoring 15 goals (1 2pt-goal) and had 1 assist playing in all 14 games. Then last year Adams once again had a great season playing every game scoring 17 goals (1 2pt-goal) and had 6 assists giving him 24pts in the regular season. He also had 1 goal in the Cannons playoff loss last year to the Lizards. Adams provides the Cannons with a great goal scoring threat. Adams numbers show that he is more of a scorer then a feeder, although he does have the ability to set guys up he is more of a scoring threat. Don't expect that to change this year and do not expect Adams goal scoring to go down much either.

The Generals:

Kevin Buchanan Ohio St. '08

Kevin Buchanan has been in the league since 2008 that is a long time. In Buchanan rookie year he spent his time with the Los Angeles Riptide (No longer exist) Buchanan played in 9 regular season games for them scoring 8 goals and had 5 assists. Buchanan also got to play in the postseason that year scoring a goal in their only tournament game. In 2009 Buchanan spent his season with the Washington Bayhawks (became the Chesapeake Bayhawks). In that season Buchanan played in 6 games scoring 6 goals and had 7 assists. Then in 2010 Buchanan was traded from Washington with 3 Draft Picks in exchange for John Christmas, Ray Megill and Mike Levin on January 28, 2010 and was sent to the Cannons. Once the Cannons acquired him Buchanan really became a stud player in the MLL, and almost the face of the Cannons. In his first season with the Cannons Buchanan played in 12 games scoring 20 goals (2 2pt-goals) and handed out 11 assists giving him 33 points for the regular season. The Cannons made the postseason that year but fell in the first round, Buchanan though had 3 goals and 1 assist in the loss. He was also chosen to the All-Star game for the first time that season. In 2011 things were different Buchanan only played in 9 games but still scored 20 goals (1 2pt-goal) and had 5 assists. Buchanan helped lead the Cannons to a title in the 2011 season. In the postseason Buchanan played in both games and scored 2 goals in the title run. In 2012 he Played in 12 games for the Cannons had a 31 goals (1 2pt-goal) and added 10 assists, for a career high total of 42 points. He was also named to the 2012 MLL All-Star game for the the 2nd time in his career. In the playoffs that year he scored 2 goals and added 1 assist in the Cannons playoff loss to the Bayhawks. 2013 he played in 12 games 20 goals (1 2pt-goal) and 10 assists. He added 2 goals and a assist in a playoff loss that year. In 2014 he played in 13 games for the Cannons had a career high 32 goals and added 9 assists. Last season Buchanan played in 11 games scored 21 goals (1 2pt-goal) and added 8 assists for 30 points on the season, this was Buchanan's 6th straight season with at least 20 goals, and his 6th straight season with at least 25 points. He is currently 7th on the Cannons all-time games played list with 70, currently 3rd on the Cannons all-time goals scored list with 144, currently 5th on the Cannons all-time assist list with 53, and currently 5th on the Cannons all-time points list with 203. Buchanan is pretty much a stud for the Cannons and he is really one of the anchors not only of the Midfield but the team in general. Even though Buchanan has been in the league for a while don't expect that to slow him down, expect another great year from the seasoned veteran.

Max Seibald Cornell '09

What can you say but Max Seibald has been great ever since he came into the league. In the 2009 collegiate draft Seibald was drafted 2nd overall by the Denver Outlaws after having a historic career as a member of the Cornell Big Red. In Seibald's rookie season he played in 10 games scoring 9 goals (2 2pt-goals) and added 1 assist. Seibald also played in two playoff games that year and had a assist in the playoff run but the Outlaws would fall in the title game to the Toronto Nationals (who became the Hamilton Nationals who now don't exist). The following year Seibald really settled into his own and had a breakout year scoring 20 goals (2 2pt-goal) and added 8 assists in only 9 games. Seibald also added 2 goals in the Outlaws first round playoff loss.  In 2011 he played in 9 games scored 12 goals (3 2pt-goals) and added 2 assists. In 2012 Seibald was traded to the Long Island Lizards (now New York), their he played in 13 games scored a career high 24 goals, including a career high 4 two point goals, and added 11 assists, and had a career high 39 points. In 2012 he also had two goals and a assist in the Lizards playoff loss. In 2013 he played in 6 games scored 5 goals, including 2 two point goals and added 2 assists. In 2014 he played in 11 games scored 17 goals, including 2 two point goals and added 2 assists. Seibald also had 2 goals in the Lizards playoff loss. By the end of that season a change was made and it was a big time move. On January 5th 2015 the New York Lizards made a deal that got their hands on Paul Rabil but the twist was Max Seibald would be sent to the Cannons. Seibald joined the Cannons and helped impact the team right away. Seibald played well for the Cannons playing in all 14 games. Seibald had 17 goals (2 2pt-goals) and dished out 9 assists. Seibald would be a big factor in the Cannons playoff battle against his former team a game the Cannons would lose in dramatic overtime fashion but Seibald never gave up. Seibald had 2 goals in that game both 2 point goals. Seibald was a big factor in the Cannons offense last year and things won't be changing this year.

Here is my Midfield depth Chart for the Cannons:

Line 1: Max Seibald, Kevin Buchanan, Brent Adams

Line 2: Justin Turri, Michael Rooney, Rob Emery

7th man: Challen Rogers