After 11 seasons in Major League Lacrosse, veteran Ryan Boyle has officially announced his retirement from the game this morning.
“It has been a privilege and pleasure to compete in the MLL for the past eleven years. As an aspiring youth player, I never dreamed of having the opportunity to play lacrosse at the professional level. I want to thank all of the people that made that dream a reality, most notably Dave Morrow, Jake Steinfeld, and Commissioner David Gross,” Boyle states.
“On a personal level I want to thank the Philadelphia Barrage for welcoming me into the league and the Boston Cannons for enabling me to continue my career. Both organizations hold a special place in my heart and I appreciate each team’s unique and professional approach.”
“When I reflect back on my career, I am most proud of the relationships that have been built with incredible people that have a passion for the sport and for life. The sheer number of former teammates, coaches, and staff members that I need to thank is too many to list publicly. Just know that I care about all of you deeply and cherish your friendship.
With regards to my decision, simply put, it’s time. ”
In his 11 years as a professional lacrosse player, Ryan split his time between the Philadelphia Barrage for 5 seasons before making Boston home for the remaining 6. Ryan won 4 MLL titles over his tenure, 3 championships with Philadelphia (’04, ’06, ’07) and one with the Cannons on 2011.
“Ryan Boyle will be recognized as one of the greatest attackman the game has seen. He’s an unparalleled leader with uncommon toughness and determination,” Cannons Head Coach John Tucker states. “Our personal connection spans more than 20 years. It has afforded me a unique opportunity to watch him grow and develop. I can say that he forged his own path and worked extremely hard for everything he achieved in the game of lacrosse. A brilliant tactician – fearless leader – but most of all, a winner. It has been a true honor for me to be a small part of his extraordinary career.”
Tony Resch, Head Coach of the Philadelphia Barrage from 2005-2008 had the pleasure of coaching Boyle at the start of his MLL career, “As a player, Ryan was the perfect combination of talent, intellect, and grit. His desire to win was palpable, and like great players often do, he had a knack for making big plays when it mattered most,” Resch said. “It was truly a pleasure to work with Ryan, on and off the field.”
Aside from his impressive team titles, Boyle was a stand out by his own right, garnering up many individual accolades. In 2004, he was named the MLL Rookie of the year in his inaugural season. Additionally, he was a 5-time MLL All-Star, and 3-time U.S. Men’s National Team player (’02, ’06, ’10 World Games) winning 2 World Game Gold medals in 2002 and 2010.
Boyle had much success at the collegiate level as well, winning the NCAA National Championship with Princeton in 2001. Ryan was a 4-time All-American as a Tiger, and was a 2-time Ivy League Player of the Year.
Matt Striebel, a former teammate of Boyles at Princeton, the Philadelphia Barrage and the Boston Cannons at the end of 2014 season is certainly no stranger to the type of player Ryan was on and off the field.
“Ryan is known for his intelligence and skill. The thing that I’ve always most respected about him is his toughness. He’s fearless, has taken a pounding throughout his career and always gets up,” Striebel went on the say. “People talk about certain athletes making their teammates and all the other players around them better–no one in lacrosse exemplifies that more than Ryan. He’s on a very shortlist of people who have impacted my career on this profound a level.”
In his 6 seasons with the Cannons Boyle finishes:
-Tied for 7th on the Cannons all-time list in games played with 70 as a Cannon
-Tied for 10th on the Cannons all-time list in goals scored with 68 as a Cannon
-2nd on the Cannons all-time list in assists with 140 as a Cannon
-4th on the Cannons all-time list in points with 208 as a Cannon
Bill Daye, Boyle’s head coach 2009-2011 at Boston, remembers Boyle’s play in the most profound way.
“It was a pleasure coaching Ryan during my time with the Cannons,” Coach Daye stated. “Most of the lacrosse world will remember him as a great player and while that’s true, what will stick with me the most is the passion he brought to the field every time he stepped on it and the leadership he brought as well.”
Ryan is the only player in MLL history to have 25+ points in 11 consecutive seasons. In 2012, he garnered a career high 39 assists.
In his 11 seasons with MLL, Boyle finishes:
-1st in MLL History with 272 career assists
-3rd in MLL History with 449 career points
-9th in MLL History with 121 career games played
-2nd in MLL History with 37 career playoff points
“On behalf of the entire Cannons organization and fan base I want to thank Ryan for being a part of the Cannons family for the past 6 seasons. He is one of those special players that is every GM desires to have. A true professional on and off the field who gives everything he has for his team, his teammates and the fans who come to see our team play.” Cannons Vice President & GM Kevin Barney said.
“Ryan helped bring the first championship to our franchise in 2011, a team that will go down in our history books. I wish Ryan all the best and know he will continue to help our sport grow in his future endeavors.”
