Cannons trade for midfielder Chris Rotelli
Published on April 19, 2004 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
(Boston, MA) The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced today that they have acquired Midfielder Chris Rotelli in a trade with the Philadelphia Barrage, along with Philadelphia's first pick in the 2005 MLL Collegiate Draft. In exchange, Boston trades Defenseman Brian Kuczma to the Barrage along with the Cannons first pick on the 2004 MLL Collegiate Draft (3rd Overall) and a Cannons second round pick in the 2004 MLL Collegiate Draft (10th Overall). Rotelli will join the Cannons when the team opens its 2004 Training Camp at Chelsea Memorial Stadium on Saturday April 24.
Rotelli, a Providence, RI native, was the number one overall selection in the 2003 MLL Collegiate Draft. He appeared in eleven games for the Barrage in 2003, starting two. Rotelli scored ten goals and record one assist for eleven total points in his rookie season. He also recorded 28 ground balls good for sixth on the team.
"Chris is a player that we feel will help take us to the next level," said Scott Hiller, Cannons Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel. "He is a proven winner and a solid all-around midfielder. The bottom line is that we haven't got it done in the postseason the past three seasons, and we need to get to that next level in order to achieve our goal of winning the MLL Championship. This move is a step in the right direction."
Rotelli was a highly decorated college lacrosse player at the University of Virginia, graduating in 2003. He earned the 2003 Tewaaraton Award, given to the NCAA's best lacrosse player. Rotelli was an All-American and led the Cavaliers to the 2003 NCAA National Championship. He was also named the ACC Player of the Year that season. During his senior campaign Rotelli became the first UVA Midfielder in 37 years to lead the team in scoring, recording 49 total points.
"The decision to make this trade was extremely difficult and one that I agonized over for a few weeks," said Hiller. "Brian has been both a great player and a great leader for the Cannons for the past three seasons. He has done everything we have asked him to do during his time here and his presence will be missed."
Kuczma, a leader on and off the field for the Cannons, was team co-captain along with Brian Silcott for the past two seasons. An "original Cannon" Kuczma, along with Ryan Curtis, is one of the only two players to appear in all 40 games in Cannons franchise history. Kuczma was named an MLL All-Star for the first time last season.
"The move does make us a little thin on the defensive end for the time being," said Hiller. "Ryan Curtis is the best defender in the game and will be looked upon to fill some of the leadership void that Brian (Kuczma) leaves. Other defenseman such as Michael Peyser and Chris Sullivan will also need to step up this season. We will further address any defensive needs either with another preseason move or in the Collegiate Draft."
Despite losing two 2004 Collegiate Draft picks in this deal, the Cannons still hold six total picks in the upcoming college draft. Boston has the 6th, 9th and 12th overall selections. The 2004 MLL Collegiate Draft takes place on June 3, 2004.
ABOUT THE CANNONS AND MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE:
The Boston Cannons, of Major League Lacrosse, feature the best lacrosse players in the world. The Cannons play their home games at Boston University's Nickerson Field, Boston, MA. The Cannons play a seven game home schedule, beginning Saturday May 22, 2004 against the Major League Lacrosse Champion Long Island Lizards. The Cannons play their first road game of the season at the Baltimore Bayhawks on May 27, 2004. For more information on all of the fast-paced, hard-hitting excitement of Boston Cannons Lacrosse visit www.bostoncannons.com or call 888-847-9700.
Major League Lacrosse, a six-team professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded in 1999 by fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Enterprises, and partners Dave Morrow, a former champion lacrosse player and now CEO of Warrior Lacrosse, a leading global provider of innovative and high performance lacrosse equipment; and Timothy B. Robertson, former CEO of The Family Channel and the current chairman of Bay Shore Enterprises, L.L.C., an investment holding company with activities in international media and Internet technology ventures. The MLL commenced play in June of 2001 with teams in Baltimore, Boston, (Bridgeport) Connecticut, Long Island, (Bridgewater) New Jersey and Rochester. The 2003 MLL season began on Saturday, May 31 and concluded with the League's Championship Weekend at Villanova Stadium, Friday-Sunday, August 22-24, with the Long Island Lizards defeating the Baltimore Bayhawks in a thrilling 15-14 overtime New Balance Championship Game victory. League information can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from April 19, 2004
- Cannons trade for midfielder Chris Rotelli - Boston Cannons
- Barrage Acquire Defenseman Brian Kuczma in Trade with Boston Cannons - Philadelphia Barrage
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