2024 Record and Result: 7-3, Lost to Carolina in Quarterfinals
Draft Selections: 1.4, 2.4, 4.4
Notable Free Agents:
Chris Aslanian, M
Pat Aslanian, M
Craig Chick, LSM
Jonathan Donville, A/M (PUP List)
Ryan Drenner, A/M
Bubba Fairman, SSDM
Adam Ghitelman, G
Zach Goodrich, SSDM
Marcus Holman, A
Matt Kavanagh, A
Connor Kirst, M
Will Manny, A
Asher Nolting, A
Jake Pulver, LSM/D
Ethan Rall, LSM
Zac Tucci, F/O
Cade Van Raaphorst, D
Bryce Young, D
SEASON RECAP:
The Cannons were tied for the best record in the league in the regular season at 7-3. They missed out on the bye from the Eastern Conference on score differential.
The Cannons led the league in two pointers with a whopping 16 on the season. Five PLL clubs didn’t even reach double digits in twos, the Cannons were up in the teens. Because they were so adept at hitting the two, they actually were just fourth in the league in scores. They hit fewer one pointers than the Waterdogs this year. Individually, Asher Nolting turned in another great and was again up for MVP and Attackman of the Year. Second in the league in points and assists, Nolting was the QB and key distributor for the Cannons. His turnover numbers spiked this year; he led the league with 30. That comes with the way he and the Cannons play at times. Marcus Holman continues to defy aging and time, turning in another Top 10 in points campaign in year 12 of his storied career. Matt Campbell took another step as a threat in the midfield, becoming one of the best two point shooters in the league, and a major focal point of the Cannons push to hit more twos and beat teams from range. The Cannons took 85 twos this year, the next closest was the Outlaws at 69. Despite the high volume, the Cannons were third in the league in shooting percentage from beyond the arc, and fourth in the league in overall shooting percentage. First round pick Pat Kavanagh was banged up a lot of the year, but when he played, he showed flashes of the dodging elusiveness that made him a first round pick. Out of the midfield he’d draw shorties and win the matchup consistently, at attack he created from X for himself or drew a help defender and unsettled the defense.
The defense was excellent in the first year with Kyle Hartzell as DC. Adding Garrett Epple and Bryce Young down low gave them one of the best close defense units in the PLL. The Cannons were second in the league in scores against average, one of two teams to be under 12. They were second in the league in caused turnovers. They were third in ground balls despite being in the bottom half of the league facing off. Epple is once again up for Defender of the Year, Ethan Rall for LSM of the Year, and Colin Kirst for Goalie of the Year. Jeff Trainor had a very good year as the Cannons pushed more to go from D to O, an area where Trainor excels, and he was productive on both ends of the field for them. The Cannons did have the second most penalty minutes in the league. While their penalty kill unit went 66.7%, spending that much time in the box is playing a dangerous game in the PLL.
Against Carolina in the playoffs, the Cannons were held to their longest scoring drought of the year and managed just four goals in the game despite all their firepower. They couldn’t solve Blaze Riorden or the Chaos defense, despite Jack Rowlett being suspended. That’s not exactly something unique to the Cannons - nobody really had answers for the Chaos defense or Riorden this year. But this is now back to back seasons with fairly ugly exits from the playoffs for the Cannons after very bright regular seasons.
OFFSEASON PLAN:
The Cannons have a first round pick in 2025. Pat Kavanagh is the only first round pick the team has made since being launched as a PLL franchise, so it’s a place the Cannons don’t usually find themselves. The upcoming draft isn’t as deep as 2024, but there will be some exceptional talent at the top.
The Brian Holman era has been marked by successful regular seasons and painful playoff exits. This year, they were throttled by the Chaos, last year it was a beating at the hands of the Waterdogs. But 14-6 in two regular seasons is an impressive mark. Only two teams in the PLL are combined to be over .500 in the last two years. There’s something to be said for putting themselves in a good position every year. It’s all you can ask for. They had a similar long list of free agents a year ago, and kept the group together for another run. This year, they could run it back again with the addition of a few quality draft picks and feel good about their chances. Asher Nolting is now a two time Attackman of the Year and MVP finalist, he’ll be sought by plenty of PLL clubs, but it would surprise me to see him sign anywhere other than Boston. The same with Ethan Rall, a two time LSM of the Year finalist. After going undrafted, Boston was the club that wanted him, I’d expect him to stay with this club for that. Scroll that free agent list and really ask yourself, can I see this person playing for someone else?
The old saying is that doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result is a sign of insanity. But in the PLL, games can be decided by the slightest of margins, one or two bounces of the ball. Having a roster that you have proven can be right there to earn a playoff bye shouldn’t be scoffed at or disregarded. Depending on a few retirements or other changes, the Cannons can focus on keeping this group together and taking another shot at the title in 2025.
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