Joey Cupido Bio
Joey Cupido is a Canadian professional box lacrosse player who currently plays for the Georgia Swarm in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). A versatile transition player, Cupido has built his career on two-way play, contributing offensively while handling some of the league’s most demanding defensive responsibilities. In addition to his professional lacrosse career, he is a decorated former Canadian university football player.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Cupido first gained attention as a multi-sport athlete at McMaster University, where he starred as a defensive back for the Marauders. Since transitioning to full-time lacrosse, he has earned multiple league honours, including the NLL Transition Player of the Year award and First Team All-Pro recognition.
Early Life and Background
Joey Cupido was born on August 14, 1990, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a region known for its deep lacrosse roots, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and quickly developed into a competitive player. Hamilton’s strong box lacrosse culture provided a natural training ground for his early development.
Cupido also excelled in football throughout his youth, and his athletic versatility became a defining feature of his sporting identity. He committed to McMaster University, where he continued to pursue both sports at an elite level.
Path to Lacrosse
Cupido began his junior lacrosse career with the Hamilton Bengals in the Ontario Junior B league in 2007. A year later, he advanced to the Junior A Six Nations Arrows, one of the most respected programs in Canadian lacrosse. With the Arrows, he posted 57 goals and 55 assists across three regular seasons and added 25 goals in Junior A playoff competition.
His junior success attracted professional attention. In the 2011 NLL draft, Cupido was selected in the fifth round, 38th overall, by the Colorado Mammoth. The following year, he was also picked 22nd overall by the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks in the 2012 MSL draft, setting the stage for a professional career on both the box and indoor lacrosse circuits.
Joey Cupido Career
Early Career (2011-2013)
Cupido’s professional career began slowly. He appeared in only one game for the Colorado Mammoth during the 2012 NLL season, using the year to adjust to the pace and physicality of the league. In 2013, he earned a larger role, appearing in all but one regular-season game and quickly establishing himself as a reliable defender.
That season, Cupido was named to the NLL All-Rookie Team after leading the Mammoth and all NLL rookies with 101 loose balls. In 2014, he added another major accolade, sharing the Most Valuable Defensive Player award in Major Series Lacrosse for his play with the Kodiaks.
NLL Breakthrough (2013-2018)
Cupido’s career-defining stretch came between 2013 and 2018. In 2015, he led the NLL in caused turnovers and was the unanimous winner of the Transition Player of the Year award as voted by NLL writers. He was also named a First Team NLL All-Pro for the 2015 season, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s premier two-way players.
He continued to dominate in 2018, leading all NLL defenders with 16 goals while tying for the league lead in short-handed goals. That season, he again earned Transition Player of the Year honours from both NLL writers and the league, and was named a First Team All-Pro for the 2017-18 season. Cupido also represented Team Canada at the 2017 Heritage Cup, scoring once in a 19-6 victory over Team USA.
Colorado Mammoth Era (2011-2024)
Cupido spent the bulk of his NLL career with the Colorado Mammoth, the franchise that drafted him in 2011. A season-ending Achilles injury limited his 2023 campaign, but he remained a respected veteran in the Mammoth locker room. In June 2022, following an NLL championship with the Mammoth, he was traded by the Cobourg Kodiaks to the Six Nations Chiefs.
Georgia Swarm Era (2024-Present)
In October 2024, Cupido signed as a free agent with the Georgia Swarm, opening a new chapter in his professional career. He joined a competitive Swarm roster looking to contend in the NLL, bringing veteran leadership and championship experience to the transition unit.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cupido is widely recognized for his two-way transition play, combining defensive toughness with reliable offensive output. His ability to generate caused turnovers and contribute short-handed goals makes him especially valuable in fast-paced game situations, and his consistency has been a hallmark of his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cupido’s signature achievements are his back-to-back NLL Transition Player of the Year awards, his First Team All-Pro selections, and his representation of Team Canada at the 2017 Heritage Cup. He also helped the Colorado Mammoth capture an NLL championship in 2022.
Joey Cupido Career Wins
Joey Cupido’s career is defined more by individual excellence and defensive impact than by headline goal totals. His honours include NLL Transition Player of the Year recognition, First Team All-Pro status, and an NLL championship with the Colorado Mammoth.
NLL Highlights
Cupido’s most notable NLL achievements include leading the league in caused turnovers in 2015 and tying for the league lead in short-handed goals in 2018. He earned NLL All-Rookie honours in 2013 and went on to claim multiple Transition Player of the Year awards across his time with the Mammoth.
Other Wins and Performances
In Major Series Lacrosse, Cupido shared the Most Valuable Defensive Player award in 2014 with the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks. He also represented Team Canada at the 2017 Heritage Cup, contributing offensively in a dominant win over the United States.
Joey Cupido Football Career
Before committing fully to professional lacrosse, Cupido starred as a cornerback for the McMaster Marauders from 2010 to 2014. In 2012, he was named a First Team CIS Football All-Canadian, establishing himself as one of the top defensive backs in Canadian university football.
His most memorable football moment came in 2011, when he tied a CIS single-game record with four interceptions in a playoff game against the Queen’s University Golden Gaels. Through three seasons, he posted 12 interceptions in 10 post-season games. He finished his career with 14 playoff interceptions in 16 games, a CIS post-season record.
Cupido and the Marauders appeared in both the 2011 and 2012 Vanier Cup championships, winning the Canadian national title in the 47th Vanier Cup in 2011. He returned in 2014 as McMaster once again reached the Vanier Cup, losing 20-19 to the Montreal Carabins, and was named a Second Team All-Canadian and the MVP of the Yates Cup that year.
Joey Cupido Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Joey Cupido’s family background is limited.
Personal Life
Joey Cupido resides in Canada and continues his professional lacrosse career with the Georgia Swarm. Details about his personal and family life are not widely publicized.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NLL season, Joey Cupido is expected to play a steady role for the Georgia Swarm following his October 2024 signing. As a veteran transition player, he is likely to feature prominently in the team’s defensive rotation while contributing short-handed offence and loose-ball work.
Cupido’s experience from multiple championship runs with the Colorado Mammoth should help stabilize the Swarm’s locker room. His track record of causing turnovers and earning Transition Player of the Year honours suggests he can still influence games at a high level.
Looking ahead, Cupido’s primary objectives for the 2025 season will be to stay healthy, contribute consistently in the transition game, and help position the Georgia Swarm as contenders in the NLL playoff picture.