Four Cannons Named MLL All-Stars
Published on June 14, 2006 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
Boston, MA (June 13, 2006) - The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced today that six members of the Cannons will be participating in the 2006 MLL All-Star Game, which will be played on July 6, at Boston University' Nickerson Field. Adopting a new format, this year's game will pit MLL All-Stars versus the U.S. Men's National Team, as Team USA prepares to participate in the 2006 International Lacrosse Federation World Championships.
Four members of the Cannons will be playing for the MLL All-Star team, while two Boston players will be playing for U.S. National Team. Those players are attackman Conor Gill, midfielder Mike Battista, midfielder Chris Fiore, and defenseman Chris Passavia for the MLL All-Stars and goalie Chris Garrity and defenseman Ryan Curtis for Team USA.
Cannons attackman Conor Gill is off to a great start this season. Gill leads the Cannons in scoring this year with 18 points, and is second in league scoring only to New Jersey's Scott Urick. Gill is the team's all-time leading scorer with 238 points. He is the current MLL record holder in assists with a total of 139. Gill has led the league in assists the past three seasons. In 2004, he won the MLL MVP and Cannons Team MVP. In 2002, Gill earned the MLL Rookie of the Year award.
Midfielder Chris Fiore is also a returning All-Star, having appeared in last year's contest as well. Fiore is currently third on the Cannons in scoring, with 12 points. Fiore had a four-goal performance against the Long Island Lizards in the Boston's June 3rd victory at Nickerson Field. In 2005, he scored 22 goals and was named to the All-MLL Team.
Joining Fiore at midfield from the Cannons is Mike Battista. Battista is currently tied for second on the Cannons in scoring with 13 points following a big performance in Los Angeles last weekend where he had four goals, including a two-pointer. Last season, Battista scored a career-high 23 goals and led all Cannons players with five two-point goals. Playing in every game for the Cannons in 2005, Battista recorded at least one point in each of those games.
Rounding out the list of Boston players on the MLL All-Stars roster, Chris Passavia will represent the Cannons defense. He also played in the All-Star game in 2005. Passavia is coming off a successful 2005 season in which he earned All-MLL honors and was named Cannons Defensive Player of the Year. In four games for the Cannons this season, he has collected 10 groundballs. In 2004, Passavia was named Cannons Team Rookie of the Year.
These four players will be facing their Boston teammates Chris Garrity and Ryan Curtis, who are both suiting up for the U.S. Men's National Team.
In 2006, Garrity is among the league leaders in several statistical categories. Garrity is 3-1 this season and his 78 saves and 11.77 goals-against-average rank second in the league. Garrity earned MLL Goalie of the Year honors in 2005, and was named team MVP as well. In 2005, Garrity also became the first goalie in MLL history to begin the season with a 5-0 record. This season Garrity has twice earned Bud Light MVP game honors this season and was named Week Two MLL Defensive Player of the Week for his 26-save performance versus Long Island.
Defenseman Ryan Curtis is the second Boston player on Team USA. Consistently one of the top defenders in the league, Curtis was named Cannons Defensive Player of the Year in 2002, 2003, and 2004. He earned MLL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2003. Curtis is in his sixth season with the Cannons. He has appeared in more games than any other player in franchise history, playing in all but one game for the Cannons. In 2006, Curtis was named as a Cannons Co-Captain for the third straight season.
This is the first time that the MLL All-Star Game has been played in Boston. The MLL All-Star game will take place at Boston University's Nickerson Field on Thursday July 6, and begins at 7:30 PM. The Bud Light Skills Competition will be conducted during halftime.
Tickets for the 2006 MLL All-Star game are still available and may be ordered by calling 866-MLL-TIXX or by visiting the league website at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
2006 BOSTON CANNONS SCHEDULE:
DATE OPPONENT TIME
May 20 at New Jersey Pride L 13-12 OT
May 26 at Long Island Lizards W 16-12
June 3 LONG ISLAND LIZARDS W 15-13
June 10 at Los Angeles Riptide W 20-13
June 17 SAN FRANCISCO 7:00 PM
June 24 PHILADELPHIA BARRAGE 7:00 PM
June 29 at Philadelphia Barrage 7:30 PM
July 6 MLL ALL-STAR GAME - Nickerson Field, Boston, MA - 7:30 PM
July 8 at Baltimore Bayhawks 7:00 PM
July 22 ROCHESTER RATTLERS 7:00 PM
July 29 NEW JERSEY PRIDE 7:00 PM
August 5 BALTIMORE BAYHAWKS 7:00 PM
August 12 at Rochester Rattlers 7:30 PM
The Boston Cannons are a charter member of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). The Cannons are proud to play their home schedule at Boston University's Nickerson Field, Boston, MA. The Cannons opened the 2006 season at the New Jersey Pride on May 20. Boston had its home opener on June 3 against the Long Island Lizards. The Cannons finished the 2005 regular season an MLL best 10-2. 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 ten-team professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded in 1999 by fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Global L.L.C., and founding 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. The MLL is comprised of two divisions. The Eastern Conference contains the original six teams, Baltimore, Boston, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Rochester. The Western Conference debuts in the 2006 season with MLL expansion franchises Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Additional league information can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 14, 2006
- Riptide update - Los Angeles Riptide
- Spallina Named To MLL All-Star Team - Philadelphia Barrage
- Lacrosse America Meets Machine - Chicago Machine
- Four Pride players tabbed as 2006 MLL All-Stars - New Jersey Pride
- Pride advance to 3-1 with record-tying offensive output - New Jersey Pride
- Cannons Poskay Named MLL Cascade Rookie of Week - Boston Cannons
- Four Cannons Named MLL All-Stars - Boston Cannons
- Dougherty Wins MLL Weekly Honors - Philadelphia Barrage
- Leveille Named to MLL All Star Team - Chicago Machine
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