The Florida Launch, Major League Lacrosse’s newest team, has executed a trade with the Boston Cannons that will send 2005 Cascade Rookie of the Year and six-time Warrior Defensive Player of the Year Brodie Merrill, midfielder Martin Cahill and the 37th overall selection in the 2014 MLL Collegiate Draft to Boston in exchange for defenseman PT Ricci, midfielder Lee Coppersmith and the 12th overall selection in the draft.
“I am very excited about bringing Lee Coppersmith and PT Ricci to Florida,” said Launch Head Coach Stan Ross. “I have watched PT play for a number of years and I think we can use his style of play in the middle of the field. Lee is a big, strong and athletic midfielder who has his best days ahead of him. It will be great to have someone who played at a local High School now playing for the MLL in the same town.”
Selected 11th overall in the 2009 Collegiate Draft by the Washington Bayhawks, Ricci appeared in 18 games for the Bayhawks before being acquired by the Cannons prior to the 2011 season. The Loyola product appeared in a total of 52 games recording seven goals, five assists and collecting 176 ground balls along the way.
A native of Boca Raton, Fla., Coppersmith was selected 22nd overall in the 2013 MLL Collegiate Draft. The Johns Hopkins graduate made his professional debut last June 21 in a 16-11 win over the New York Lizards and appeared in two more games for the Cannons in 2013.
Merrill is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensemen in MLL history. Ever since joining the league in 2005 he has made an impact earning the Cascade Rookie of the Year award in his first season. The perennial All-Star has appeared in 104 games scoring 41 goals (three 2-pointers) and holds the MLL record for career ground balls with 711 in nine seasons
“It was not an easy decision to trade Brody Merrill,” Ross continued. “He is a tremendous player and will be missed. That is the difficult part of coaching in this competitive league, with so many talented players. Sometimes decisions need to be made in the best interests of the team and the organization.”
The Florida Launch recently announced its 14-game schedule and tickets will be on sale soon. Parties interested in season or individual tickets should stay tuned to FloridaLaunchLacrosse.com or call the League office at 617-746-2233 for more information.
