The Boston Cannons are a professional field lacrosse team based in Boston, Massachusetts, that competes in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). The team plays its home games at Harvard Stadium.

The team competed in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) from their inaugural 2001 season to 2020. The team's home field was Veterans Memorial Stadium in nearby Quincy.[1] In the MLL, the team won two Steinfeld Cup championship games in 2011 and 2020, the latter being the MLL's final championship. The Cannons joined the PLL in 2020 following the MLL–PLL merger and were rebranded as the Cannons Lacrosse Club before later being rebranded as Boston Cannons once again when the PLL assigned home cities after the 2023 season.

Franchise history

The Boston Cannons were one of the original six teams of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), and the only team from the pole inaugural 2001 season to stay in the same market, without folding or moving elsewhere. They were the only MLL team identity to continue into the 2021 PLL season following the MLL-PLL merger and in doing so adopted the Cannons Lacrosse identity. The team would once again become the Boston Cannons when the PLL assigned home cities after the 2023 season. MLL was founded by Jake Steinfeld, Dave Morrow, and Tim Robertson. The Cannons founder and president is Matt Dwyer. From their inaugural season of 2001 through 2003, the Cannons played their home games at Cawley Memorial Stadium in Lowell, Massachusetts. In their inaugural 2001 season, the Cannons finished with a record of 3–11 but still qualified for the playoffs finishing in second place in the division. In 2004, they moved to Nickerson Field at Boston University where they played through the 2006 season. In 2007, they moved to Harvard Stadium in Allston, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts,[2] which is less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from Nickerson Field and also within that distance from the Cannons' main office in Boston. The team qualified for the MLL playoffs 2001–2006, 2009-2011 and 2015. The Cannons won the 2004 and 2005 MLL American Division championships.

Major League Lacrosse (MLL)

2011 championship season

The Cannons won the Steinfeld Cup for the first time in 2011, defeating the Hamilton Nationals 10–9. Boston went 9–3 in the regular season, their best record since going 10–2 in 2005. After losing to Chesapeake 13–9 in the 2010 semifinal, the Cannons avenged the Bayhawks by defeating them 14–13 in the 2011 semifinal with a goal from Max Quinzani. Boston became the fifth charter franchise to win a championship. By 2011, the Cannons were one of four charter franchises still in the league that started with six teams in 2001. The other three remaining charter franchises (Lizards, Bayhawks, and Rattlers had all previously won at least one Steinfeld Cup (the defunct Barrage had won three). Head coach Bill Daye stepped down a month after winning the Steinfeld Cup, citing he wanted to spend more time with his family.[3] Entering the 2021 season, Daye remains the franchise's all-time leader in regular-season games coached (72), regular-season games won (43), and playoff games coached (6).

2013–2018

The Cannons in 2013 and 2014 finished 5–9 and 6–8. This included a 1–5 start in 2013 leading to Steve Duffy's firing on June 10.[4] John Tucker took his place and played .500 for the rest of the season. After the Cannons missed the playoffs for the fourth time in franchise history in 2014, Tucker led the team back to the postseason in 2015 as the 8–6 fourth seed. They played the New York Lizards and lost 16–15 in overtime. The Lizards went on to win the Steinfeld Cup.

John Tucker left the Cannons after the 2015 season to become the first head coach and general manager of the expansion team Atlanta Blaze. On October 8, 2015, Sean Quirk was announced as the sixth head coach in franchise history.[5] In an odd 2016 year in which seven of the league's nine teams, including the Cannons, finished with identical 8-6 records, Quirk's team was not rewarded with one of the four playoff spots after tie-breaking procedures. On December 20, 2016, it was announced that John Tucker would be returning to the Cannons as the team's offensive coordinator in 2017.[6] Tucker was fired mid-season by the Blaze after a 3–7 start.

Despite a Week 1 win in 2017, the Cannons season turned around. At 3–6, the Cannons traded away captain Will Manny and Joe LoCascio to the New York Lizards for Dave Lawson and Chris LaPierre on June 27.[7] On July 14, the Cannons announced that neither Lawson nor LaPierre would suit up for the team that season. Dave Lawson informed team officials that he would be retiring from the league while Chris LaPierre decided not to report to the team.[8] The Cannons finished the season on a six-game losing streak. At 3-11, the Cannons posted the worst record in the league and tied their franchise-worst record from 2001, their inaugural season.

The final team logo for the Boston Cannons while members of the MLL

2019–2020: new pro lacrosse landscape and second title

Following the 2018 season, Paul Rabil launched the Premier Lacrosse League, baiting over 140 MLL players to migrate over. However, the Cannons maintained more of their roster than other teams like the Dallas Rattlers or Rabil's New York Lizards.[9] Two months prior to the start of the 2019 season, the league cut the team roster from nine to six when the Ohio Machine and Florida Launch folded and Charlotte Hounds suspended operations for two seasons.[10] Taking this to their advantage, the Cannons posted a 9–7 record in 2019, good enough for the third of four postseason seeds and gave Boston its first playoff berth since 2015. Boston faced the Denver Outlaws in the semifinal, who were also hosting Championship Weekend. The Cannons got off to a hot start and led by as many as six goals, but ultimately fell, 17–15, ending their season.[11]

2019 was the Cannons' first season in Quincy. During the offseason they announced a move to and $1.5 million renovation of Veterans Memorial Stadium.[12] The Cannons announced two sellouts in their first season in the updated venue.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was shortened to five regular season games in seven days, all to be played in front of no fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. The Cannons finished fourth place out of six teams with a 3–2 record, and were the only team to defeat the Denver Outlaws in the regular season. Heading into the postseason, the Cannons were scheduled to play the Outlaws in the semifinal. However, after a player from the Chesapeake Bayhawks experience symptoms of COVID-19 and eventually tested positive, the two other postseason competitors, Chesapeake and Connecticut, withdrew from the tournament. The Cannons' semifinal game with the Outlaws was pushed back a day and would be played as the championship. Boston defeated Denver for the second time in two days, the latter in 13-10 fashion for the franchise's second title, first in nine years.[13] Newcomer attackman Bryce Wasserman, who played for the Dallas Rattlers the season before, was named league MVP for 2020.

Premier Lacrosse League

2021–2023: Cannons Lacrosse Club

On December 16, 2020, in a statement from Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the Boston Cannons officially became the eighth team in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). It was announced that the team would be dropping "Boston" from their name and become "Cannons Lacrosse Club" to fit league nomenclature, the roster would be set via an expansion draft, and the team would begin play in the PLL in the 2021 season. Small tweaks to the former Boston Cannons branding resulted in a PLL crest and logo reveal on January 12, 2021.[14] One week later, the league announced that Sean Quirk would continue coaching the team.[15]

The Cannons played their first game of the 2021 season on June 4 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, falling to the Redwoods Lacrosse Club, 12–11.[16] They would finish the season 7th in the league, falling in the first round of the playoffs.

Post-2023 season-present: Boston Cannons

After the 2023 season the PLL assigned home cities to each of the eight teams. The Cannons were rebranded from Cannons Lacrosse Club to become the Boston Cannons.[17] Since setting their "Homecoming Weekend" to the Harvard Stadium, the Cannons have performed well with two repeating 7-3 records in 2023 and 2024, a noticeable increase from their 3-6 record in 2022.[18] However, they have yet to win the championship since establishing their home city, being bounced in the playoffs in the semi-final by the Philadelphia Waterdogs 17-6 in 2023 and by the Carolina Chaos 8-4 in the 2024 quarterfinals.[18]

In 2024, The Boston Cannons won the 2024 Championship Series, beating the Philadelphia Waterdogs 23-22 in overtime.[19]Then in the 2025 season, the Boston Cannons became the first team to go back to back in winning the Championship Series, defeating the Utah Archers 21-14 with Matt Campbell leading the way on offense with 8 points (7G, 1A).[20] Campbell also won the Golden Stick Award for the most points (23 points) over the course of the series. Colin Kirst also set a record for the most saves during the 6v6 tournament, 72.[21]

The 2025 PLL season begins on May 30, 2025 in Albany, NY. However, the Cannons don't begin their 2025 campaign until the next day, May 31, against the New York Atlas.[19]

General managers

  • David Gross (2001–2005)
  • Jason Chandler (2006–2007)
  • Mark Kastrud (2008–2011)
  • Kevin Barney (2011–2017)

Current coaching staff

  • Head coach – Brian Holman
  • Assistant coach – Aaron Verardi
  • Assistant coach – Will Manny

All-time head coaches

# Name Term Regular season Playoffs
GC W L W% GC W L W%
Boston Cannons
1Mitch Whiteley200214311.214101.000
2Scott Hiller20032005503218.640514.200
3Bill Daye20062011724329.597624.333
4Steve Duffy20122013201010.500101.000
5John Tucker20132015361818.500101.000
6Sean Quirk20162020683137.456321.667
Cannons Lacrosse Club
Sean Quirk20212022 19 4 15 .211
7Brian Holman20231073.700211.500
Boston Cannons
Brian Holman2024–present20119.550101.000

Roster

2026 Boston Cannons
# Name Nationality Position Shot Height Weight College Grad year High school Hometown Ref.
1 Marcus Holman (C) United States Attack Right 5 ft 10 in 180 lbs North Carolina 2013 Gilman Baltimore, Maryland [22]
2 Tye Kurtz Canada Attack Right 6 ft 0 in 200 lbs Delaware 2023 Bishop MacDonnell Puslinch, Ontario [23]
5 Colin Kirst (C) United States Goalie Right 6 ft 2 in 211 lbs Rutgers 2022 Seton Hall Prep Bernardsville, New Jersey [24]
6 Hunter Smith United States Defense Right 6 ft 2 in 220 lbs Richmond 2026 McQuaid Jesuit Rochester, New York [25]
7 Will Donovan United States LSM Left 6 ft 0 in 190 lbs Notre Dame 2026 Brunswick School Greenwich, Connecticut [26]
8 Mikey Weisshaar United States Midfield Right 5 ft 9 in 170 lbs Towson 2026 Archbishop Spalding Arnold, Maryland [27]
11 Marquez White United States SSDM Right 6 ft 0 in 185 lbs Princeton 2024 Poway Poway, California [28]
13 Jack Regnery United States Attack Right 6 ft 0 in 190 lbs Tufts 2026 The Benjamin School Palm Beach Gardens, Florida [29]
14 Zach Goodrich (C) United States SSDM Right 6 ft 2 in 185 lbs Towson 2019 Kent Island Stevensville, Maryland [30]
20 ** Matt Campbell United States Midfield R/L 6 ft 2 in 210 lbs Villanova 2023 Delbarton Madison, New Jersey [31]
21 Mic Kelly United States Midfield Right 6 ft 2 in 210 lbs Denver 2025 Calvert Hall Towson, Maryland [32]
22 * Ryan Drenner United States Midfield R/L 6 ft 0 in 190 lbs Towson 2017 Westminster Finksburg, Maryland [33]
23 ** Logan Ip United States Midfield R 5 ft 10 in 170 lbs Harvard 2026 Corona del Mar Newport Coast, California [34]
24 Ben Ramsey United States SSDM Right 6 ft 0 in 200 lbs Notre Dame 2025 Sacred Heart Prep Palo Alto, California [35]
26 Andrew McMeekin United States Faceoff Right 6 ft 1 in 225 lbs Princeton 2026 Episcopal Academy Newtown Square, Pennsylvania [36]
29 Remington Reynolds United States Defense Left 6 ft 0 in 180 lbs Loyola 2025 Gilman Baltimore, Maryland [37]
30 Brian Kelly United States Attack R/L 6 ft 0 in 180 lbs St. John's 2025 Albany Academy Red Hook, New York [38]
32 ** Asher Nolting United States Attack Right 6 ft 2 in 230 lbs High Point 2022 Cherry Creek Greenwood Village, Colorado [39]
34 Connor Kirst United States Midfield R/L 6 ft 3 in 208 lbs Rutgers 2021 Delbarton Bernardsville, New Jersey [40]
35 Ethan Rall United States LSM Right 5 ft 9 in 186 lbs Rutgers 2023 Islip Islip, New York [41]
40 Jack Kielty (C) United States Defense Right 6 ft 2 in 210 lbs Notre Dame 2021 Delbarton Morristown, New Jersey [42]
41 ** Bryce Young United States Defense Left 6 ft 2 in 205 lbs Maryland 2018 St. Augustine Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey [43]
43 ** Jeff Trainor Italy SSDM R/L 6 ft 0 in 195 lbs UMass 2021 Billerica Memorial Billerica, Massachusetts [44]
45 Graydon Hogg Canada Attack Left 5 ft 9 in 180 lbs Albany 2024 The Hill Academy Oshawa, Ontario [45]
81 Owen Grant Canada LSM Left 6 ft 3 in 230 lbs Delaware 2023 Everest Academy Newmarket, Ontario [46]
88 JC Higginbotham United States Goalie Right 6 ft 0 in 200 lbs Bellarmine 2024 Plano West Plano, Texas [47]
91 Coulter Mackesy United States Attack Left 5 ft 10 in 185 lbs Princeton 2025 Brunswick Bronxville, New York [48]

(C) indicates captain[49][50]

*Indicates player is on Holdout list

**Indicates player is on PUP list

MLL award winners

Most Valuable Player

Rookie of the Year

Coach of the Year

Defensive Player of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year

Goalie of the Year

David Huntley Man of the Year

Most Improved Player

PLL award winners

Eamon McEneaney Attackman of the Year

Gait Brothers Midfielder of the Year

Welles Crowther Humanitarian Award

Jimmy Regan Teammate Award

Dick Edell Coach of the Year

Pro Lacrosse Hall of Famers

NamePositionTenureInducted
Ryan BoyleAttack2009-20142023
Mark MillonAttack20052022
Kyle SweeneyDefense2009-20142024

Season-by-season records

YearWL%Regular season finishPlayoffs
Boston Cannons (MLL)
2001311.2142nd in American DivisionLost semifinal 12–11 to Bayhawks
200277.5002nd in American DivisionLost semifinal 15–10 to Bayhawks
200375.5832nd in American DivisionLost semifinal 20–14 to Lizards
200484.6671st in American DivisionWon semifinal 24–16 over Bayhawks
Lost championship 13–11 to Barrage
2005102.8831st in American DivisionLost semifinal 19–14 to Lizards
200684.6672nd in Eastern ConferenceLost semifinal 17–12 to Barrage
200757.4173rd in Eastern Conference
200875.5833rd in Eastern Conference
200966.500Tied for 3rd in MLLLost semifinal 11–10 to Outlaws
201084.667Tied for 1st in MLLLost semifinal 13–9 to Bayhawks
201193.7501st in MLLWon semifinal 14–13 over Bayhawks
Won championship 10–9 over Nationals
201295.6433rd in MLLLost semifinal 16–10 to Bayhawks
201359.3576th in MLL
201468.5295th in MLL
201586.5714th in MLLLost semifinal 16–15 to Lizards
201686.5717th in MLL
2017311.2149th in MLL
201859.3577th in MLL
201997.5633rd in MLLLost semifinal 17–15 to Outlaws
202032.6004th in MLLWon championship 13–10 over Outlaws
Cannons Lacrosse Club (PLL)
202136.3337th in PLLLost quarterfinals 13–9 to Atlas
202219.1008th in PLL
202373.7002nd in PLLLost semifinals 17-6 to Waterdogs
Boston Cannons (PLL)
202473.7002nd in Eastern ConferenceLost quarterfinals 4–8 to Chaos
202546.4004th in Eastern Conference
Totals156148.513Total playoff record 5–14 (.263 win pct.)

Draft history

First round selections (MLL Collegiate Draft)

2021 PLL Entry Draft

Rnd.[61] Pick # Player Pos. Previous MLL Team
1 1 Lyle Thompson Attack Chesapeake Bayhawks
1 6 Zach Goodrich Defensive Midfield Boston Cannons
3 17 Nick Marrocco Goalie Boston Cannons

College Draft

Source:[62]

Rnd. Pick # Player Pos. College
2 9 Jack Kielty Attack Notre Dame
4 25 Stephen Rehfuss Midfield Syracuse
Rnd. Pick # Player Pos. College
2 10 Asher Nolting Attack High Point
2 11 Bubba Fairman Defensive Midfield Maryland
3 23 Bryan McIntosh Defense Hofstra
3 24 Colin Kirst Goalie Rutgers
Rnd. Pick # Player Pos. College
2 9 Matt Campbell Midfield Villanova
4 25 Grant Ammann Defense High Point
Rnd. Pick # Player Pos. College
1 6 Pat Kavanagh Attack Notre Dame
2 14 Alexander Vardaro Midfield Georgetown
4 30 Scott Smith Defense Johns Hopkins
Rnd. Pick # Player Pos. College
1 4 Coulter Mackesy Attack Princeton
2 12 Mic Kelly Midfield Denver
4 28 Ben Ramsey Defensive Midfield Notre Dame
Rnd. Pick # Player Pos. College
1 2 Mikey Weisshaar Midfield Towson
2 10 Hunter Smith Defense Richmond
2 15 Will Donovan LSM Notre Dame
3 18 Logan Ip Midfield Harvard
3 20 Jack Regnery Midfield Tufts

Community involvement

The Cannons often reach out to the local community, hosting a variety of lacrosse camps and events for local youth.[63] In addition, the Cannons support MetroLacrosse, by arranging scholarships for MetroLacrosse players and donating tickets for each home game to MetroLacrosse players and families. MetroLacrosse also maintains a booth in the Fan Zone for each home game.

References

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  2. "Cannons move to Harvard Stadium". BostonCannons.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2007.
  3. Bill Daye stepping down as Boston Cannons head coach
  4. Steve Duffy out as Cannons coach
  5. "Cannons hire new head coach". Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  6. "2017 Coaching Staff Announcement". Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  7. "Manny, Lawson headline Boston/New York Trade". Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  8. The Boston Massacre: The blockbuster Lizards/Cannons trade hasn't aged well for Boston
  9. Paul Rabil launches Premier Lacrosse League
  10. MLL disbands three teams
  11. Boston Cannons fall short to Denver Outlaws in MLL semifinal
  12. Boston Cannons, City of Quincy announce $1.5 million in renovations for Veterans Memorial Stadium
  13. "Cannons win 2020 MLL championship". Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  14. "Premier Lacrosse League Unveils New Logo, Branding for Cannons LC". US Lacrosse Magazine. January 12, 2021.
  15. "SEAN QUIRK NAMED HEAD OF COACH OF PLL'S CANNONS LC". US Lacrosse Magazine. January 19, 2021.
  16. Hass, Trevor (June 4, 2021). "Cannons Lacrosse Club fall to Redwoods in Premier League Lacrosse debut at Gillette Stadium". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  17. "Return of Denver Outlaws Highlights PLL's Host Cities Announcement". www.usalaxmagazine.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Premier Lacrosse League Stats". Premier Lacrosse League Stats. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
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  21. PLL (February 17, 2025). "Top takeaways as Cannons win second straight Championship Series". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
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  23. "Tye Kurtz". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  24. "Colin Kirst". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  25. "Hunter Smith". Premier Lacrosse League. May 16, 2026.
  26. "Will Donovan". Premier Lacrosse League. May 29, 2026.
  27. "Mikey Weisshaar". Premier Lacrosse League. May 16, 2026.
  28. "Marquez White". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
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  32. "Mic Kelly". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  33. "Ryan Drenner". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  34. "Logan Ip". Premier Lacrosse League. May 16, 2026.
  35. "Ben Ramsey". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  36. "Andrew McMeekin". Premier Lacrosse League. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  37. "Remington Reynolds". Premier Lacrosse League. May 16, 2026.
  38. "Brian Kelly". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  39. "Asher Nolting". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  40. "Connor Kirst". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  41. "Ethan Rall". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  42. "Jack Kielty". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  43. "Bryce Young". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  44. "Jeff Trainor". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  45. "Graydon Hogg". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  46. "Owen Grant". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
  47. "JC Higginbotham". Premier Lacrosse League. May 16, 2026.
  48. "Coulter Mackesy". Premier Lacrosse League. May 31, 2025.
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  63. "Boston Cannons Lacrosse Camp Schedule". Activity Hero.