Boston Cannons Announce 12-Man Expansion Protected Roster
Published on October 12, 2011 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
BOSTON, MA - The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, today announced their 12-man expansion protected roster for the 2012 MLL season, according to Cannons General Manager Kevin Barney. This is the second of two protected lists following the 2011 season, culling the list of 23 players protected in September.
The players not protected can be drafted in the 2012 MLL Expansion Draft, taking place on December 7 as the Charlotte Hounds and Ohio Machine begin compiling their rosters. After the first three unprotected Boston players are drafted, the Cannons can bring one player back. Thereafter, for each Boston player taken by the Hounds or Machine the Cannons can take one back as well.
"Cutting the 23-man list by almost half was an extremely difficult task," said Barney. "Especially coming off our first Steinfeld Trophy win, ideally we would have liked to keep the Championship roster intact. After careful consideration, we've protected the 12 players we believe are the strongest to build the 2012 team around and will give us the best chance to repeat."
Shortly prior to the announcement of the protected rosters, the Cannons traded defenseman John Lade to the Rochester Rattlers for the 19th overall selection in the 2012 Collegiate Draft. In addition, the Cannons acquired the 11th overall selection in the Expansion Draft and the 15th overall selection in the 2012 Collegiate Draft from the Ohio Machine for the 8th overall selection in the 2012 Collegiate Draft.
"We made two moves late last night, which put us in the Expansion Draft to get a quality player from another team or select one of our own unprotected players," said Barney. "We also now have the 15th, 16th and 19th overall selections in the 2012 Collegiate Draft to continue to build our team for the future."
The 12-man list is highlighted by perennial All-Stars Paul Rabil (midfield), Matt Poskay (attack) and face-off specialist Chris Eck, as well as the Championship Game MVP, goalie Jordan Burke, and defenseman Brian Farrell, who turned in an impressive rookie season. Notable omissions include attackman and Duxbury, MA native Max Quinzani, veteran long pole Kyle Sweeney and goalie Kip Turner.
"To protect 12 players rather than 10, which made the most sense to retain the core of our team, we could only keep one goalie, so we made the tough choice to risk losing one of the best goalies in the league in Kip," continued Barney. "Obviously, Max and Kyle were also key components of our team for the past few seasons, especially during the Championship run, and ideally they'll stay in a Cannons uniform. But due to the uncertainty of their future playing careers in the league, we had to use the 12 roster spots for players we know are one hundred percent committed, especially with the extended season and increased competition with the expansion."
At the conclusion of the 15-round Expansion Draft, any Boston players not selected can be reclaimed and added back to the Cannons roster.
BOSTON CANNONS 12-MAN PROTECTED LIST
Belisle, Mitch -- Defense
Boyle, Ryan -- Attack
Buchanan, Kevin -- Midfield
Burke, Jordan -- Goalie
Eck, Chris -- Face-Off/Midfield
Farrell, Brian -- Defense
Heim, Pat -- Midfield
Poskay, Matt -- Attack
Rabil, Paul -- Midfield
Ricci, PT -- Defense
Ross, Brad -- Midfield
Smalley, Matt - Midfield
BOSTON CANNONS UNPROTECTED PLAYERS
Josh Amidon - Midfield
Shamel Bratton - Midfield
Greg Downing - Midfield
JJ Morrissey - Midfield
John Ortolani - Midfield/FO
Max Quinzani - Attack
Jack Reid - Defense
Mike Stone - Midfield
Kyle Sweeney - Defense
Kip Turner - Goalie
10/12/11 TRADES
* Boston sends defenseman John Lade to Rochester for the 19th overall pick in the 2012 Collegiate Draft
* Boston sends the 8th overall pick in the 2012 Collegiate Draft to the Ohio Machine for the 15th overall pick in the 2012 Collegiate Draft and the 11th overall pick in the December 7th Expansion Draft.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from October 12, 2011
- Hamilton Releases Protected Roster for 2012 MLL Expansion Draft - Hamilton Nationals
- MLL Releases Protected Rosters - MLL
- Boston Cannons Announce 12-Man Expansion Protected Roster - Boston Cannons
- Hours Before 12-Man Rosters Are Announced, Chesapeake Makes Deals - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Hounds Trade for Flanagan - Charlotte Hounds
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