Last week the MLL announced that the Hamilton Nationals will relocate to Florida. They will be known as the Florida Launch.
Yesterday the Launch and the Cannons were involved in a trade. The Launch sent Brodie Merrill, midfielder Martin Cahill and the No. 37 overall selection in the 2014 Collegiate Draft to Boston in exchange for defenseman PT Ricci, midfielder Lee Coppersmith and the No. 12 overall selection in the 2014 draft.
Merrill is one of the greatest defensemen in MLL history. The six-time Warrior Defenseman of the Year started his MLL career in 2005 and captured the Cascade Rookie of the Year award. The 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. He helped his teams win three championships, Bayhawks in ’05, the Rattlers in ‘08, and the Nationals in ’09. In 2013 Merrill tied for the league lead in points by a defensemen and was named to the All-MLL Team for the ninth consecutive year.
Merrill will feel right at home as he will join his teammates from the Philadelphia Wings (NLL) Pat Heim, Paul Rabil, and Kevin Buchanan.
Adding Merrill on defense will definetly help the Cannons. Last season the Cannons allowed a league high 202 goals (15–2 pt) average of 14.42 goals per game.
