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.
We are closer and closer to the season and this part of the
Cannons will really make or break the team this year. These are the players who
are currently listed on the Cannons right now, and are close defensemen not
Long-Stick-Midfielders but your stay at home close defensemen.
The Reserves:
Andrew Newbold Sacred Heart '14
Andrew
Newbold who was a recent addition to the Cannons roster via the open-tryout had
an outstanding career in his time at Sacred Heart, and Newbold is far from home
being from Loveland, Ohio. Newbold stands tall at 6'3 210 lbs., and with his
size he is not afraid to toss around the body. Newbold was able to see time in
just his sophomore year at Sacred Heart starting all 13 games that year,
Newbold did manage to see time in 5 games though his freshmen year. But his
sophomore year his career at Sacred Heart really took off, in his junior year
he started 11 games out of the teams 14 games and lead the team with 22 caused
turnovers and was second on the team with 40 ground balls. Newbold was also
chosen to the All-NEC first team for the first time during his Junior year.
Newbold followed up a great Junior year with an even better Senior season this
time starting all 15 games for the Pioneers and leading the team in groundballs
with 43 and caused turnovers with 27. Once again Newbold was selected to the
All-NEC first team, as well as being selected to the All-NEC tournament team.
What Newbold left behind at Sacred Heart was a great career finishing with 127
groundballs, and caused 61 turnovers. He also scored 10 goals, and added 3
assists in his time at Sacred Heart. What I think Newbold gives the Cannons is
a young defender who is a big guy who is not afraid to toss the body around and
someone who can help the Cannons cause turnovers, and help them possible in
transition if they need it from the close defense position.
James Fahey UMass '14
James
Fahey was recently added to the Cannons roster after the open tryout. Fahey had
a good career at UMass as close defensemen, but he had a hard time seeing the
field until his Junior year, where he got to make his first 2 career starts in
the 12 games he played that year. Fahey started the first 2 games that year
before he suffered in an injury that caused him to miss a couple games that
year. Fahey did not start the rest of the year but still saw appearances in
games, and helped the Minutemen any way he could, but come Senior year Fahey
was back. In his final season he started all 13 games at close for UMass and
had a great conclusion to his career, causing 20 (career high) of his 28 career
turnovers that year. He also scooped a career high 31 groundballs, he finished
his career with 53 ground balls. In Fahey's career he scored 1 goal and his
only career college goal in his senior season in fact it was his only career
shot as well. I think Fahey could really help the Cannons as a defensemen whether
it be at the possibility of playing LSM or close. I hope to see Fahey maybe
sneak his way onto the field for the Cannons but I think it might be a little
hard due to the depth and talent the Cannons have to the close defense
position. I think if Fahey can someone convince Quirk to maybe move him up to
LSM it's possible he could see a lot more playing time.
The Replacements:
Andrew Sellers Salisbury '12
Andrew
Sellers finally got the chance last year to show he was capable to play in the
MLL. After graduating from Division 3 powerhouse Salisbury University in 2012,
Sellers was passed on by most MLL teams. Which is shocking because of Sellers'
great senior year taking home many individual awards, being named USILA
Defensive Player of the Year, USILA First-Team All-American, and All-CAC First
Team. During Seller's collegiate career he played in 60 games,
collected 104 groundballs and caused 65 turnovers. Those aren't bad
numbers at all, but no one gave him a chance until the Chesapeake Bayhawks
selected him in the 2014 supplemental draft with the 34th overall pick.
Sellers played one game for the Bayhawks and didn't do anything he took one
shot in the game it was on goal but it was not a goal. Sellers was let go at
the seasons end. The Cannons took a chance on him when the selected him in the
2015 Supplemental draft. Sellers saw time in 7 games last year for the Cannons.
Sellers really didn't do much in those 7 games he had only 4 ground balls
and 1 shot that was not on goal. Sellers is not the biggest guy but I think his
ability of playing at Salisbury is why he might get some playing time this
season again, especially if the Cannons are without Merrill, and Belisle to
box, and Mullins because of his college season.
Ryan Hollenbaugh UMass '13
Another
recent UMass grad Ryan Hollenbaugh had a great career at UMass but really has
not seen much time since coming to the MLL. Hollenbaugh had a good career at
UMass playing in 56 games in his career and starting 45 of them at close D. He
was selected to the All-CAA second team three times. Hollenbaugh in his time at
UMass also played a little bit of LSM, which could be another place he could
see some time. In his career at UMass he scooped 68 ground balls and caused 46
turnovers. Hollenbaugh did not go straight to the MLL after graduation instead
he had to wait until the Cannons added him from the league player pool in 2014.
Hollenbaugh did not play any games for the Cannons in the 2014 season but did
see sometime for the Cannons last year playing in 4 games. Hollenbaugh did
appear in 4 games for the Cannons but when looking at the stat line he really
did nothing so their is not much to tell you about him. But based of his height
and weight (6'1 180 lbs.) he might be looked at as more of an LSM this year for
the Cannons. Hollenbaugh doesn't seem to have that scary looking appearance he
also did see time at LSM at UMass so it would not surprise me to see him maybe
see some playing time at LSM this year rather than close, but I have been wrong
before.
The Rookie:
Brandon Mullins Syracuse '16
Brandon Mullins is a great defender and has really made a name
for himself in his time at Syracuse, making many people start to think he might
be one of the best defenders Syracuse has had in a good amount of time. Mullins
was selected with the 9th pick in the first round of the 2016 MLL Collegiate
draft. Just looking at what Mullins has done for Syracuse is
outstanding and he is been a huge factor in the Syracuse defense. Just last
year he caused 14 turnovers, helping him climb to fifth in the program record
book for career caused turnovers. Mullins has also racked in some
outstanding accolades in his time at Syracuse as well, being selected as
an All-American twice, and was chosen as a first-team All American
in 2015, and was also selected to his second consecutive All-ACC team. Mullins
has had a good year so far for the Orange helping lead their defense. Mullins
has started all 9 games for the Orange and has played well scooping up 19
ground balls and causing 14 turnovers on the year helping bring Syracuse to a
6-3 record and the #9 ranking in the country. Mullins is an imposing 6’3 he is
one big boy at around 225 pounds he is one of those guys that nobody wants to
see running at them full speed. I think Mullins will help the Cannons a great
deal at the close defense position with an ageing Cannons close defense. I
think Mullins brings a great young imposing threat for the Cannons defense now
and for the future of the organization. I think Mullins could honestly step in
right when his season ends. With the possibility of the Cannons having to play
without Merrill to do box commitments along with Bellisle as well it's possible
he could just instantly start once he makes the jump to the pro ranks.
The Third Guys:
Scott McWilliams Virginia '14
Scott
McWilliams has been with the Cannons since his career at Virginia ended in
2014. McWilliams was selected by the Cannons in the 1st round of the 2014
collegiate draft as the 8th overall pick. McWilliams left behind a fantastic
career at Virginia and is why he was selected in the first round by the
Cannons. McWilliams career really began to look good when his sophomore
year was an All-American honorable mention selectee. Then followed that
season up with a good junior season in which he was named to the
All-American second team and All-ACC team. During his final season as
a Cavalier, McWilliams served as a team captain, and once
again recieved second team All-American honors. McWilliams saw
time here and there for the Cavs playing the LSM position when they needed him
due to injuries on the team. McWilliams left behind a career in which he picked
up 125 ground balls and caused 87 turnovers, as well starting in 61 games in
his 65 career games played. Once his time was over McWilliams got right into
the MLL and began to see time for the Cannons, in his rookie season he played
in 8 games and picked up 6 ground balls. Just last year he saw his time go
up just a little playing in 9 games and once again picking up 6 ground balls.
But when it came playoff time McWilliams did no dress. Their is a lot to like
about McWilliams as a close defensemen, one he is a scary dude standing at 6'3
205 lbs, nobody wants to have that guy running at them full speed.
McWilliams with his big body presence can really pose a threat and be a
physical player who can push guys around. I look at McWilliams as like a
fourth defensemen who will definitely get the chance to start this season,
when Merrill, and Bellisle are out with Box commitments.
Chad Wiedmaier Princeton '12
Chad Wiedmaier came to the
MLL after a fantastic career at Princeton. In his time as a Tiger Wiedmaier was
a four-time
All-American after earning First Team honors in 2012, Second Team nods in 2009
and 2010, and Third Team accolades in 2011. He also made history by being the
first four-time First Team All-Ivy League men's lacrosse player in Princeton
history, that's a pretty impressive accomplishment itself. Wiedmaier became
only the second in Ivy League history to achieve that accomplishment joining
former Cornell midfielder Max Siebald. After a fantastic career at Princeton
Wiedmaier took the next step and played in the MLL. In 2012 he was selected by
Hamilton Nationals (No longer exist) in the 1st round 7th overall, in his
rookie year Wiedmaier appeared in 9 games picking up 18 ground balls and even
dished out an assist on the season. Going into Wiedmaier's second season the
Nationals dealt Wiedmaier to the Ohio Machine. In his first season with the
Machine Wiedmaier played in all 13 games and picked up 30 ground balls. In 2014
Machine Wiedmaier helped anchor the Machine defense and help them make the
postseason, he played in all 12 regular season games for Ohio picking up 11
ground balls and in the postseason he scooped up 1 ground ball in Ohio's first
round loss to the Rochester Rattlers. Following the 2014 season, the idea might
have been that the future for Ohio was bright especially with a great close
defensemen in Wiedmaier for Ohio, but the Machine said not so fast. Before the
2015 MLL collegiate draft the Cannons made a splash trading Brian
Karalunas and a seventh round 2015 Collegiate Draft selection to the Ohio
Machine (which the Machine would use to select Austin Geisler a Goalie from
High Point) in exchange for defenseman Chad Wiedmaier and a first round 2015
Collegiate Draft pick (which the Cannons would use to select John Glesener).
Wiedmaier's first season in Boston was a successful one, a season that saw
him play in all 12 regular season games for the Cannons picking up 13 ground
balls as well as playing in the Cannons postseason loss to the Lizards.
Wiedmaier was also selected to the 2015 MLL All-Star Game for the first time in
his career, he played in the game and picked up 1. Wiedmaier is a great player
if you just look at his college career at Princeton, but he really posses a lot
of the great skills you look for in a defensemen he is big standing at 6'1 200
lbs. he has that fear factor that can be used. Wiedmaier might be the future of
the Cannons defense with Mitch Bellisle and Brodie Merrill both getting up
their in age I think Wiedmaier is the future of this Cannons defense and I
think he will give Cannons fans more of a chance to see that again this season.
The Bad Boys:
Mitch Bellisle Cornell '07
Mitch
Bellisle came into the MLL after a fantastic career at Cornell. In 2007
Bellisle was named USILA’s Schmeisser Cup winner as the nation’s most
outstanding defenseman. In his time at Cornell he was also named First Team
All-American as a senior and was also a two-time First Team All-Ivy pick in
2006 and 2007. In the 2007 MLL draft the Los Angles Riptide (No longer exist)
selected Bellisle in the second round with the 12th pick overall. Bellisle came
into the MLL and immediately made a name for himself, playing in 9 games for
the Riptide as a rookie and picked up 14 ground balls. Bellisle also helped get
the Riptide to make the postseason where he helped get the Riptide to the title
game where the would come up one game short of winning a title losing 16-13 to
the Philadelphia Barrage (No longer exist). Bellisle played in both postseason
games that year and picked up 3 ground balls. Bellisle had another good year
the following year with the Ritpide playing in 11 games and picked up 18 ground
balls on the year, and once again helped lead the Riptide back to the playoffs
where they would lose to the Denver Outlaws 13-12. That postseason loss would
be the last game Bellisle would play in a Riptide uniform and the last game the
Riptide would play as an organization. Come to 2009 due to the folding of the
Riptide Bellisle was reassigned to Boston. And everything changed, in his first with the
Cannons he played in all 12 games picking up 12 ground balls, and once again
was back in the postseason but the Cannons saw an early exit losing to the
Denver Outlaws once again this time losing 11-10. In the 2010 season once again
Bellisle played the whole season with the Cannons and once again the Cannons
made it to the postseason. Bellisle helped the Cannons scoring his first career
MLL goal and picked up 12 ground balls again. The Cannons once again fell short
in the playoffs, the Cannons came in as the number 1 seed with an 8-4 record
and was upset by the last team to make it into the postseason the Chesapeake
Bayhawks losing 13-9. The 2011 season had to be different and it was, Bellisle
was named team captain for the Cannons, Bellisle played in only 10 games and
picked up 18 ground balls, and then helped lead the Cannons to a championship
game and a title game victory, in those two games Bellisle picked up 2 ground
balls. Following the title the Cannons expected probably to go back-to-back
Bellisle played in 11 games and scooped up 20 ground balls, but the
dreams of going back-to-back was just that a dream the Cannons lost in the
first round to the Bayhawks 16-10. The 2013 season was something new for
Bellisle it was the first time in his career that he did not make the playoffs,
Bellisle did play in every game for the Cannons and scooped up 22 ground balls.
Once again in 2014 the Cannons failed to make the playoffs even though Bellisle
played in every game one again for the Cannons and picked up 24 ground balls
and even scored a goal on the year. After two years in a row of not being in
the postseason the Cannons returned last year, thanks to Bellisle who played in
all but one of the Cannons regular season games and picked up 14 ground balls.
Bellisle also played his heart out in the Cannons playoff lost to the eventual
champions New York Lizards picking up 3 ground balls in the game. Bellisle
being a veteran will once again provide the Cannons with great experience,
Bellisle has played in the MLL-All Star game three times. Bellisle also
provides the Cannons with total experience as well having played 101 career
games, and is currently 4th All-Time on the Cannons games played list playing
in 81 games. Their is no doubt in my mind that Bellisle will once again be a
big part of this Cannons defense but the question might be how many games will
he play, but from the way it's looking I don't think he will miss any games,
maybe he might sit out a game to let his body recover from Indoor, but Bellisle
wants to compete so I don't see him missing any games in my mind.
Brodie Merrill Georgetown '05
Brodie
Merrill is a bad man, and he is a unreal defender and is someone no one ever
wants to face. At 6'4 205 lbs. Brodie can body and lay big hits on the best of
attackmen, which makes him arguably one of the best defensemen in the MLL and
maybe the best defensemen ever? But to end the debate he is probably the best
Canadian defensemen ever since Merrill is not from the United States but is
instead from Canada. Merrill played his college lacrosse at Georgetown, where
he was a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist, a 2004 USILA First Team All-American, and
selected to the First Team All-ECAC. In his senior season, Merrill collected a
career high of 104 ground balls. Once it came time to make the jump to the MLL
I think people expected Merrill to really just continue to play the way he
did and make a name for himself. In the 2005 MLL Collegiate Draft Merrill was
the 3rd pick overall by the Baltimore Bayhawks (now Chesapeake). In his rookie
season Merrill was name Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Bayhawks to a
championship, on top of that Merrill was also selected to the MLL All-Star game
that year. I could go on for days about Merrill's outstanding career
but I would be writing for to long so here is the short version of it.
Following his rookie season Merrill was apart of the biggest trade in MLL
history and maybe sports history. The deal involved 6 teams and 24 players, in
the deal Merrill was shipped to the Rochester Rattlers. Merrill spent three
season with the Rattlers and was named defensive player of the year in all 3 of
those seasons. In his final season with the Rattlers (2008) Merrill helped
anchor the Rattlers defense and helped them win their first title in franchise
history beating the Denver Outlaws 16-6. Merrill's career numbers as a member
of the Rattlers are this (stats also include post-season). 36 games played, 18
goals (1 2pt-goal), and dished out 29 assists. After winning the MLL title
the Rattlers just did not play a season for the next two years which explains
why Merrill went to the new expansion team the Toronto Nationals. The deal was
the Nationals would get all the Rattlers players and they would simply just
moved to Toronto. Merrill's would spend two seasons with Toronto, and in his
first season with the Nationals the same group of players that won a title in
Rochester helped the Nationals win a title in their first professional season
beating the Outlaws 10-9 at the end of the year Merrill was also named
defensive player of the year for the 4th consecutive season. The following
season things fell apart and the Nationals did not play well, and missed the
playoffs. At the end of the 2010 season the Toronto Nationals moved from
Toronto to Hamilton, Ontario. In Merrill's time in Toronto he played 24 games,
had 12 goals, and added 22 assists. The move to Hamilton probably had
fans hopeful, and had Merrill hopeful since he was close to home, he spent
three seasons in Hamilton. In the 2011 season the Nationals once again returned
to the title game but would fall short to the Boston Cannons losing 10-9.
Merrill spent 3 season in total with the Hamilton Nationals his final career
totals were, 41 games played, 14 goals (2 2pt-goals), and dished out 27
assists. In 2014 the Florida Launch were a new expansion team and took the
chance and selected Brodie Merrill who was available in the expansion
draft, the Cannons then made a move and traded Lee
Coppersmith PT Ricci and the Cannons 12th Overall pick in the 2014 MLL Collegiate
Draft and the Launch sent the Cannons Brodie Merrill. In 2014 he played in 13
games with the Cannons while collecting 62 ground balls, and recorded 5 points
(4 goals and 1 assist). Last year Merrill missed some time because of the
Indoor lacrosse season which is why he only played in 7 games last year. In
those 7 games he had 2 assists and collected 33 ground balls and picked up
2 ground balls in their postseason loss to the Lizards. Merrill's numbers
speak for himself Merrill. He has the most career ground balls with 806,
he is also a 6 time Defensive Player of the Year, Merrill has also been
selected to All-Star Games as well. I don't expect anything to really slow
down, Merrill but when you look at what he has done it is no surprise that
he is still playing well at such a high level of lacrosse.
Now here is my projected Cannons Depth Chart at close defense. Keep in my mind that some of these back-ups might get the chance to play this year because of other commitments other players have as well, so here is my depth chart.
Starter: Brodie Merrill Georgetown '05
Starter: Mitch Bellisle Cornell '07
Starter: Chad Wiedmaier Princeton '12
4th:
Scott McWilliams Virginia '14
5th:
Brandon Mullins Syracuse '16
6th: Ryan Hollenbaugh UMass '13
7th: Andrew Sellers Salisbury '12
8th: James Fahey UMass '14
9th: Andrew Newbold Sacred Heart '14
