First-round draft pick Nick Mellen signs with Cannons

Syracuse's Nick Mellen, right, defends Chris Cloutier of North Carolina during a game at the Carrier Dome. (Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

QUINCY, Mass. – The Boston Cannons have signed their first-round draft pick, defender Nick Mellen, the team announced on Friday afternoon.

The 5-foot-9, 187-pound defender out of Syracuse was the fourth overall selection in last Monday’s Major League Lacrosse collegiate draft. He finished his career for the Orange, who were ranked No. 1 at the end of this abbreviated season, with 101 ground balls and 55 caused turnovers in just 47 career games.

The redshirt senior played in just one game in 2020 before the season was canceled and has opted not to return to Syracuse for a sixth year. He was also drafted in the first round of the Premier Lacrosse League college draft.