Joey Cupido

Acquired: Originally selected by Colorado in the fifth round (38th overall) of the 2011 NLL Entry Draft. In 2024 Cupido signed a one year agreement with the Georgia Swarm.

Career

NLL: Joey Cupido’s career with the Colorado Mammoth began in 2012, when he made his professional debut against the Minnesota Swarm on April 28, recovering three loose balls and forcing one turnover. In 2013, he quickly established himself as a key contributor, leading the team with 101 loose balls and 20 caused turnovers. By 2014, he had recovered the third-most loose balls for the Mammoth (74) and tied for fifth in caused turnovers (16). Cupido’s game continued to evolve, and in 2015, he had a breakout season, leading the NLL with a career-high 40 caused turnovers and setting personal bests in goals (16), points (31), and assists (15). He also led NLL defensemen with four shorthanded goals and finished fifth among non-faceoff specialists with 117 loose balls, playing in all 18 games for the first time in his career. His strong performance earned him NLL Transition Player of the Year honors, a First-Team All-Pro selection, and a NLL Fan Choice Award. In 2016, Cupido continued to excel, tying for the second-most caused turnovers on the team (26). By 2017, he scored the most goals (9) and points (17) among Mammoth defensemen, also leading the team with three shorthanded goals. In 2018, Cupido had his most prolific offensive season, setting a career-high 27 points, leading Mammoth defensemen in points, and ranking second in the NLL for shorthanded goals (5). He also tied his career-high of 16 goals. In 2019, he moved into fourth place in both team and franchise history for games played (121) and loose balls (611), and scored the game-winning goal in overtime during the West Division Semifinal against the Saskatchewan Rush. During Colorado’s 2021-22 season Cupido logged 10 points (6g, 4a), 84 loose balls, 21 caused turnovers, six blocked shots and four penalty minutes in 14 appearances. During their 2021-22 Championship season, “Lightning” added a much-welcomed seven points (4g, 3a), 37 loose balls, eight caused turnovers, three blocked shots and eight penalty minutes during the team’s successful postseason run.Cupido played in six games played during the 2022-23 NLL campaign, recording two points, 18 loose balls, two caused turnovers, one blocked shot and two penalty minutes. Cupido suffered a lower-body injury during a Feb. 3 matchup with the Georgia Swarm, bringing his season to a halt. Eventually moved to the team’s Injured Reserve List before making his way to the Season-Ending Injured Reserve List, forced to miss the remainder of the season.

Throughout his career, Cupido was a two-time NLL Transition Player of the Year (2015, 2018), two-time First-Team All-Pro selection, and a two-time NLL Fan Choice Award recipient. He also served as the Mammoth’s assistant captain for two seasons (2018-19) and was named to the NLL All-Rookie Team in 2013. 

Junior: Cupido began his junior lacrosse career with the Hamilton Bengals in the Ontario Junior B league in 2007. He moved on to the Junior A Six Nations Arrows in 2008. Cupido scored 57 goals and added 55 assists for the Arrows over three regular seasons and he finished his Junior A playoff career with 25 goals and 46 points.