 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
  |
 |
ABOUT ME continued
My first taste of Canadian box lacrosse came in the summer of 2007 on a recommendation of then Boston Blazers teammate and current Minnesota Swarm General Manager, Marty O’Neill. He referred me to the Brooklin Redmen of the Ontario Lacrosse Association. From there I was able to tryout and was fortunate enough to make the team, picking up Rookie of the Year honors. I continued to play for them for the next summer as well, before heading out to Victoria, British Columbia to participate in the Western Lacrosse Association for the Victoria Shamrocks. It wasn’t a very tough choice, since I was going to a team with a rich tradition, not to mention getting the chance of a lifetime to play alongside my lacrosse idols, Gary and Paul Gait. It was an unbelievable honor to play with not only them, but with a team so experienced and talented. It definitely enhanced my game and took my commitment to another level. While playing for Victoria from 1999 to 2002, I was blessed to be a part of three Mann Cup finalist teams, winning in the Cup in 1999. It was the 50th anniversary of the organization which made it extra special. In addition, I was the only American on the team. It was an exhilarating experience to say the least, and I was proud of my accomplishments.
All the while, I was continuing playing back and forth from summer to winter playing Canadian summer lacrosse and winter in the National Lacrosse League. Most Canadians do this, but for an American to go to Canada and be so successful was extremely rare. I knew I needed to continue to get better and get more experience playing box lacrosse, so that’s exactly what I did.After taking the 2003 summer season off, I decided to go back to Canada to play for the Peterborough Lakers of the Ontario Lacrosse Association under Head Coach Jamie Batley from 2004-2006. Under his guidance and tutelage, I was able to be part of an outstanding organization participating in three more Mann Cups, winning the cup for two more times in my career, for a total of three Mann Cup Rings. For anyone unfamiliar about the Mann Cup, it’s basically the national championship of Canada. Its trophy is actually older than the Stanley Cup for all you hockey enthusiasts. So at this point in my career, I had the opportunity to play in six Mann Cups, winning three of them. Not bad for an American playing what is still considered a Canadian game.
Since 1997, throughout my professional career in the NLL, I’ve had the opportunity to play for a number of teams in the league. For a variety of reasons or circumstances, I’ve chosen to play for different teams and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every franchise I’ve been a part of. It has given me a chance to live in different cities from time to time, and really enjoy broadening my horizons both geographically and culturally. To give you a chronological timeline of my NLL career, I’ve listed below my teams I’ve played for with the year, as well as the Canadian summer league teams I played on coinciding with that year. As you’ll see below, the commitment level and desire to play at this elite level as an American was extremely difficult and challenging, but I persevered and was very successful.
I still continue my playing career in the NLL, I’ve decided to give my body a much needed rest from the summer circuit and concentrate solely on playing professionally in the National Lacrosse League. It is very time consuming, not to mention very grueling on your body playing on concrete in the summer and Astroturf in the winter. Over my career in the NLL, I’ve had the opportunity to play in three World Championships with the Baltimore Thunder in 1998, Philadelphia Wings in 2001, and Arizona Sting in 2005, winning the coveted World Champions Cup in 2001 as a member of the Philadelphia Wings.
Having the opportunity to play in games of this magnitude, whether that be in the Mann Cup in Canada, or the World Championship of the NLL is truly amazing, but nothing can really compare to being selected to play for your country as I was in the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. In 2001, I was selected for Team USA which participated in the Heritage Cup, which faced Team USA versus Team Canada in a one game- take- all competition. We took it to Canada and won 21-16, a game in which nobody gave us a chance. It was an exhilarating experience to say the least. From there, I was selected to the next two Team USA teams which compete every four years in the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. In 2003 in Guelph, Ontario we won the Bronze Medal and in 2007 in Halifax, Nova Scotia again we fell short to Canada and Iroquois Nation taking home the Bronze Medal once again. I must say that being selected to be a part of Team USA on numerous occasions has really made me proud of myself and realize that all my hard work and dedication has brought me to the pinnacle of my life in lacrosse as well as life. I have made some outstanding friendships, played with the best players in the world, and have been coached by the best coaches in the world.
I feel at this stage of my life, based on my playing experience and accomplishments, I can honestly say I’m one of the world’s best lacrosse players. The road to success is never easy, but if you have the right mindset and are committed to yourself and your dreams, then anything is possible. I’m living proof of this, and I am committed to making you a better lacrosse player by training with me, Chris Panos.
Yours in Lacrosse,
Chris Panos #55