Boston Blazers (2009–11)

Last updated
Boston Blazers
BlazersLogo.jpg
Founded2007
DivisionEastern
Based in Boston, Massachusetts
Arena TD Garden
ColorsRed, White, & Black
OwnerTim Armstrong
Head coachMatt Sawyer
General manager Doug Reffue

The Boston Blazers were an indoor lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The Blazers were based in Boston, Massachusetts, and began play in the 2009 NLL season.

Contents

The team was owned by Tim Armstrong, the former President of Advertising and Commerce for Google. [1] who is currently CEO of AOL. NLL veteran Tom Ryan was the team's head coach until being dismissed on December 23, 2010. Ryan was replaced on December 28, 2010 by former Toronto Rock assistant coach Matt Sawyer. On April 7, 2008, the Blazers named veteran New England marketing executive Doug Reffue to the position of team president.

The team was not associated with the former Boston Blazers, who played in the MILL (predecessor to the NLL) from 1992 to 1997. However, the name was chosen "in part due to the popularity and nostalgia associated with the former Boston Blazers franchise". [2]

On August 30, 2011, the team announced that it would be temporarily suspend operations for the 2012 season as they sought a new home facility for the 2013 season. [3] However the team has yet to resume operations by 2023.

History

The Blazers were originally scheduled to begin play in the 2008 NLL season. On July 31, 2007 the league held an expansion draft and the Blazers selected a number of players. [4] In preparation for the season, the team also made a number of trades. [5] [6] [7] On October 16, 2007, the NLL announced that the 2008 season had been cancelled due to the failure of the league and the Professional Lacrosse Players' Association to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. [8] However, the negotiations continued, and on October 25, the league announced that a new seven-year agreement had been reached, and that the season would be played. [9] A new schedule was announced on November 2, 2007, but only included 12 of the expected 14 teams; the Blazers and the Arizona Sting had been removed. [10] The reasons that the Blazers and Sting opted out of the season were not given, just that it was "due to a number of business issues", and that both teams would return in 2009. [10] A dispersal draft was held on November 5, 2007. [11]

Inaugural season

The 2009 NLL season was the Boston Blazers' first season playing in the league. In order to field a team for the season, the Blazers participated in the three separate drafts: the Arizona Sting dispersal draft, the expansion draft on July 24, and the entry draft in September.

On June 30, in the Arizona Sting dispersal draft, the Blazers selected Dan Dawson first overall and forward Peter Veltman with the first pick of the second round. [12] On July 24 the team picked 12 additional players for their roster in the 2008 expansion draft, including goaltender Mike Poulin with the first overall selection. [13]

PlayerOriginal ClubPosition
Mike Poulin Toronto Rock Goaltender
Mitch Belisle New York Titans Defenseman
Matt Lyons Rochester Knighthawks Forward
Kyle Laverty Buffalo Bandits Defenseman
John Gallant Colorado Mammoth Defenseman
Jake Bergey Philadelphia Wings Forward
Devan Wray Calgary Roughnecks Defenseman
Kyle Ross Minnesota Swarm Defenseman
Tom Johnson San Jose Stealth Forward
Matt Holman Chicago Shamrox Forward
Michael Kilby Portland LumberJax Defenseman
Cam Bergman Edmonton Rush Transition

Shortly after the draft concluded, the Blazers traded Cam Bergman back to the Edmonton Rush for F Brenden Thenhaus and G Kurtis Wagar. [14]

On July 29, the Blazers and Rochester Knighthawks swapped defenders, with Kyle Laverty going to Rochester in exchange for University of Massachusetts Amherst alum Jack Reid. [15]

On July 30, the Blazers, San Jose Stealth, and Calgary Roughnecks completed a 3-way trade that sent Tom Johnson, Travis Gillespie, and Boston's 3rd-round pick in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft to San Jose, Devan Wray to Calgary, and forward Sean Morris (another UMass alum and Marshfield, MA native), defenseman Steve Panarelli, Calgary's 3rd-round pick in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft, and San Jose's 2nd-round pick in the 2010 NLL Entry Draft to Boston. [16]

Only weeks before the season began, the Chicago Shamrox suspended operations, and another dispersal draft was held. The Blazers had the first overall pick, and chose former Goaltender of the Year Anthony Cosmo. [17]

Final roster

Final Boston Blazers roster
Active (21-man) rosterInactive rosterCoaches
Goaltenders
Defensemen
Forwards
Transition
Practice Squad
  • 20 Travis Brown
  • 05 Paul Manesis
Head Coach

{{{Head Coach}}}

Legend
  • * Suspended list
  • (C) Captain
  • (A) Alternate captain

Roster updated 2009-02-04
NLL Transactions

All time Record

SeasonDivisionW-LFinishHomeRoadGFGACoachPlayoffs
2009 Eastern10-63rd4-46-2181168 Tom Ryan Lost Division Semifinal
2010 Eastern8-84th5-33-5161162Lost Division Semifinal
2011 Eastern8-84th5-33-5166155Matt SawyerLost Division Semifinal
Total 26 – 22 14 – 1012 – 12508485  

Playoff Results

SeasonGameVisitingHome
2009 Division SemifinalBoston 8Buffalo 11 [18]
2010 Division SemifinalBoston 11Orlando 12
2011 Division SemifinalBoston 10Buffalo 11

Awards and honors

YearPlayerAward
2009 Dan Dawson Most Valuable Player
Sportsmanship Award

Draft history

NLL Entry Draft

First Round Selections

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arizona Sting</span> Former NLL professional box lacrosse team

The Arizona Sting was a member of the National Lacrosse League from 2004 to 2007. They played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, from 2001 to 2003 as the Columbus Landsharks. On August 28, 2003, it was announced that the team was relocating to Glendale, Arizona. The team adopted the name Sting in November 2003 and began playing in the Glendale Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rochester Knighthawks (1995–2019)</span> Former Professional lacrosse team in Rochester, New York, United States

The Rochester Knighthawks were a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. They played in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Knighthawks were previously members of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1995 to 1997. They were members of the NLL since the league's inaugural 1998 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Bandits</span> NLL professional box lacrosse team in Buffalo, New York

The Buffalo Bandits are a professional box lacrosse team in the East Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). They play at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, then in its successor the NLL since 1998.

Anthony Cosmo is a former professional lacrosse goaltender in the National Lacrosse League. Cosmo is a three-time NLL All-Star, and was named NLL Goaltender of the Year in 2007. Cosmo also plays for the Brampton Excelsiors (MSL) Major Series Lacrosse Senior A Men's league.

Dan Dawson is a Canadian professional lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League, Brampton Excelsiors (MSL) of Major Series Lacrosse, and is currently a free agent in Major League Lacrosse. Dawson ranks 2nd on the all-time NLL points list through of the 2022 season. He is a 7 time NLL All Pro selection. As a professional, he is a 7 time Mann Cup Canadian box lacrosse champion, and a 1 time Major League Lacrosse (field) champion (2009 Toronto Nationals. Representing Canada, Dawson has won two World Indoor Lacrosse Championship titles and was a finalist in the 2010 World Lacrosse Championship. Dawson has won two Champion's Cups as a member of the Rochester Knighthawks in 2013 and 2014.

Craig Conn is a former professional lacrosse player.

Rob "Blazer" Blasdell is a lacrosse goaltender who plays for the Edmonton Rush in the National Lacrosse League.

Patrick Merrill is a former Canadian professional lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League and of the Toronto Nationals in Major League Lacrosse. He is currently the Head Coach and General Manager of the San Diego Seals.

Josh "Shooter" Sanderson is a Canadian former professional lacrosse player. Sanderson played 19 seasons in the National Lacrosse League including nine with the Toronto Rock.

Derek Malawsky is a Canadian lacrosse player for the Edmonton Rush in the National Lacrosse League. Derek's brother Curt also plays in the NLL, and the two have played together in Rochester, San Jose, and again in Arizona.

The 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the 22nd in the history of the NLL, began on December 29, 2007, and concluded with the Buffalo Bandits winning the championship game over the Portland LumberJax on May 17, 2008.

The National Lacrosse League expansion draft is a meeting where the general managers of expansion National Lacrosse League teams begin to fill their teams with unprotected players from the rosters of existing NLL teams. Such a draft occurs whenever an expansion NLL franchise is awarded. The most recent expansion draft was in 2022 for the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. Prior drafts were:

The National Lacrosse League dispersal draft is a meeting where the general managers of National Lacrosse League teams choose players from teams that are ceasing operations. The NLL has seen many team changes over the years, so dispersal drafts have been commonplace. Recent dispersal drafts have occurred in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Morris</span> American lacrosse player

Sean Paul Morris is a professional lacrosse player with the Boston Cannons of the Major League Lacrosse, and the Boston Blazers in the National Lacrosse League. He founded Laxachusetts, Legacy Lacrosse, BostonLax.net and has recently launched TheLocker.com.

The National Lacrosse League entry draft is an annual event where the general managers of National Lacrosse League teams choose eligible players for their rosters from US college programs and Canada's junior lacrosse system.

The 2009 National Lacrosse League season, the 23rd in the history of the NLL, began January 3, 2009 in Buffalo, Portland, and Sunrise, Florida, and concluded with the Calgary Roughnecks defeating the New York Titans 12—10 in the Champion's Cup on May 15, 2009 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Jamie Rooney is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League.

The Philadelphia Wings are a lacrosse team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2009 season was the 23rd in franchise history.

The Philadelphia Wings are a lacrosse team based in Philadelphia playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2012 season was the 26th in franchise history.

Nick Rose is a Canadian professional box lacrosse goaltender for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Originally drafted 28th overall by the Rock in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft, he spent time with the Boston Blazers and Calgary Roughnecks before returning to Toronto in 2012.

References

  1. ↑ "Google exec bets on niche sports like lacrosse". Reuters. October 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  2. ↑ "Boston team name: Blazers". NLL.com. October 4, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-04. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
  3. ↑ "Blazers to Move Operations for 2013 Season". NLL.com. August 30, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
  4. ↑ "Pat Merrill Selected First Overall By Boston". NLL.com. July 31, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  5. ↑ "Boston Deals Langtry Back To Colorado". NLL.com. July 31, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  6. ↑ "Boston Sends Croswell to Toronto". NLL.com. July 31, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  7. ↑ "Toronto / Boston Trade Revoked". NLL.com. August 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-05.
  8. ↑ "2008 Season Cancelled". NLL.com. 2007-10-16. Archived from the original on 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  9. ↑ "NLL, PLPA Reach Seven-Year Deal". NLL.com. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
  10. 1 2 "League Releases New 2008 Schedule". NLL.com. November 2, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
  11. ↑ "Dawson selected first overall by Portland". NLL.com. November 5, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  12. ↑ "Dawson joins Boston Blazers". NLL.com. June 30, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  13. ↑ "Boston selects Poulin first overall". NLL.com. July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  14. ↑ "Boston Adds 12 in Expansion Draft". NLL.com. July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
  15. ↑ "Blazers and Knighthawks Swap Defenders". NLL.com. July 29, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
  16. ↑ "Five Players Swapped in Three-Way Deal". NLL.com. July 30, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
  17. ↑ "Cosmo Selected First Overall By Boston". NLL.com. December 12, 2008. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
  18. ↑ "Boston Blazers at Buffalo Bandits - 2009 Playoffs". Archived from the original on 2013-06-30. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
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