June 4, 2004

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Army senior co-captain Jeff Bryan was selected by the Boston Cannons in the third round of the 2004 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft held at the Edgerton Performing Arts Center on the Campus of Sacred Heart University Thursday afternoon. Bryan is the second Army player to be drafted in the last three years.

Army's fifth all-time leading scorer with 183 points in his four-year career, Bryan led the Black Knights to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances the last two seasons. He joins former teammate Tim Pearson as the only two Black Knights to be drafted in the MLL College Draft. Pearson was a fourth-round pick of the Long Island Lizards in 2002.

"Jeff was one of the best assist-men in college lacrosse," Army head coach Jack Emmer said. "We are delighted that the Boston Cannons feel he has the qualities to play at the next level."

The newly commissioned second lieutenant, who branched Field Artillery, will begin serving his five-year commitment in the U.S. Army when he reports to Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Okla., on July 15.

Bryan, a two-time honorable mention All-America selection, was the 15th overall pick in the draft. He finished fourth in the nation in assists (38) and tied for 13th in the country in points (52) this past season. The Niskayuna, N.Y., native was the fourth attackman taken in the 2004 draft behind the overall top pick Michael Powell (Syracuse), No. 2 overall Ryan Boyle (Princeton) and Conor Ford (Johns Hopkins).

"It's a great honor and is good for Army lacrosse and Coach Emmer's program," Bryan said. "It certainly was not expected."

Bryan was the first of three players from Patriot League schools drafted on Thursday. Hobart midfielder Brian Joy and Bucknell defenseman Blaise Fletcher were both taken in the fifth round. Boston also took defensemen Chris Passavia (Maryland) and Ronnie Staines (North Carolina), along with midfield faceoff specialist Kevin Frew (North Carolina), attackman Brian Nee (Syracuse) and middie Drew Pfarr (Towson).

The Cannons' roster will swell to 35 to accommodate the 2004 college draftees (23-man active roster, 7-man practice squad and 5-man college draftee roster). Boston then has 30-days to activate their college draftees or they will be placed back into the MLL player pool.

The Cannons' next game is Sat., June 5 at home, Boston University's Nickerson Field, at 7 p.m. against the Rochester Rattlers. Players selected in Thursday's draft are eligible to be activated for the game. Boston is 2-0 and in first place in the American Division of the MLL.