Since Sandy Brown took over as Major League Lacrosse commissioner, the discussion has been about a new beginning for the league, an “MLL 2.0” as league officials have dubbed it.

The 2019 season is the dawn of that new era, and there are plenty of changes in store.

Not only does the league have a new literal face, rebranding with a new logo — red and blue with a white silhouette of a player in movement, similar in color to that of the NBA, NFL, and MLB — there are also new metaphorical faces.

With the advent of the Premier Lacrosse League, many perennial MLL All-Stars — such as Paul Rabil, Kyle Harrison, Tom Schreiber and Will Manny — will no longer play in Major League Lacrosse. Those fan favorites left huge holes in their respective former teams’ rosters, but the old sports cliché is “next man up.”

Moreover, three MLL teams have ceased operations. Where there are openings, MLL league and team officials are confident new players will rise to the occasion.

“We have diamonds in the rough that haven’t had that opportunity,” Atlanta Blaze coach Liam Banks said. “Lacrosse has grown so much. There are so many good players. The opportunities are out there for superstars.”

For our season preview, we’ve identified a face of the franchise, MVP frontunner and under-the-radar player from each of the remaining six teams. The MLL season opens May 31, when the New York Lizards host the Denver Outlaws.

Boston Cannons

2018 record: 5-9
Head coach: Sean Quirk (4th year)

Face of the Franchise
James Fahey, D

Fahey made his MLL debut in 2016, when the Cannons signed him out of an open tryout. He started the 2018 season with Atlanta, playing eight games for the Blaze, before the Cannons reacquired him. Head coach Sean Quirk said Fahey is full of personality, even being named one of Boston’s “Most Eligible Singles” by The Improper Bostonian, but he is a valuable teammate thanks to his versatility and unselfishness.

“He’s emerged as one of the top defenders in the league. He can play LSM and close defense. He’s become a leader in the locker room,” Quirk said. “He’s a caring guy. He’s tenacious. He’d take the shirt off his back for his teammates. The culture is important. He drives that.”

Draft List

Zach Goodrich, M, Towson *
Austin Henningsen, FO, Maryland
Clarke Petterson, A, Cornell
Nick DeCaprio, LSM, Michigan
Ryland Rees, LSM, Stony Brook *
Brent Noseworthy, M, Michigan
Tyson Bomberry, D, Syracuse *
James Burr, A, Boston University *
Tate Boyce, G, Providence *
Ryan Conrad, M, Virginia
Charlie Durbin, M, Princeton *
Nate Solomon, A, Syracuse *

MVP Watch
Mark Cockerton, A

After a 47-point season in 2017 and helping the Ohio Machine win the league championship, Cockerton played only two games for Ohio at the start of the 2018 season before being traded to the Cannons. He became a mainstay on Boston’s attack, finishing second on the team in goals (29) and points (32) in only seven games.

“The minute we obtained Mark in a trade with the Ohio Machine, he fit,” Quirk said. “He’s such a dynamic player. He can create so well for his shot. He can score a lot of different shots.”

Under the Radar
Kyle Jackson, A

Quirk expects the third-year attackman to play a much bigger role for the Cannons in 2019. After a 23-point rookie season in 2017, Jackson only played in five games in 2018, and he finished with seven goals and three assists. Quirk expects to run Jackson both at attack and midfield this season. Through March 18, Jackson had 17 goals and 22 assists in 12 games for the Rochester Knighthawks.