Player Spotlight

Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard.



Luke WilesLuke Wiles is rapidly becoming one of the feature players in the NLL. Wiles began his career when he was drafted by Philadelphia, half-way through the season he was traded to San Jose and his career has continued to blossom. Kevin M. Neibauer recently caught up with Wiles and here is what Luke had to say.






Question How is life in California?
Answer

California is great. I'm out of the snow and most days it is upwards of 20 degrees warmer than back East, so how can I complain about that?




Question Parity seems to be the rule this year. What team do you see jumping out and seizing control?
Answer Well, the league is close in talent. With us losing two teams, I think that it is really anyone's to take. As long as you can get into the playoffs it is anyones cup.


Question Do you commute to the games? Or are you living locally?
Answer I live in San Jose. Johnny (Mouradian) has done a good job getting us to live in the bay area so it has been very good for practices. Also, I think that will help us immensely down the stretch without having to travel across the country every weekend.


Question How is the night life and the community?
Answer I don't go out very much because of work. I have actually been very responsible this year (which is a switch). I think it is just a matter of growing up. I have goals and things that I want to accomplish and I don't like sitting around and waiting for them to come to me.


Question What is the biggest difference from Philadelphia?
Answer The fan base is the huge difference. We have great fans but there is just not that many of them. We are working hard at changing that but we have a tough market and some tough competition with the other sports. I think that if we keep working at it something has to give.


Question Best friends on the team?
Answer I don't think I have any best friends. All the boys are my friends. With me working all the time I don't get as much time to hit the links and hang out with the guys. I think that I would have to say that I am the closest with Kyle Sorenson and I live across the hall from Colin Doyle, who has the cutest little girl in the world by the way, and I love kids so it works out pretty good.


Question Favorite arena (other than your own) to play in?
Answer I would have to say Calgary. For some reason I have played pretty darn well in the Saddledome


Question Any pre-game ritual?
Answer No pre-game rituals, really just to keep to myself mostly. I like to be relaxed and have fun because I think I play my best when I'm not pressured, I'm just doing what I love to do. Compete at the highest level and have fun doing it.


Question Hardest team to play against?
Answer I don't find any team the hardest to play against. They are all very talented this year. No easy games and the toughest this league has been since I broke in a few years ago. I like the parity in the league, it makes it more exciting for the fans and for the players.


Question "The Show", how did you get the name?
Answer You know what? I got it when I was in high school. I hated it when they called me that because I am a pretty modest guy for the most part. You know what, as long as I don't make up my own nickname I suppose you can call me whatever you want to. I am pretty easy to get along with


PLPA Correspondent

Kevin M. Neibauer has been contributing articles to several on-line sites in the Philadelphia, Pa. area.

Currently acts as the Philadelphia Correspondent for InTheCrease.com and also Just Hockey. Kevin has been writing for Just Hockey for three seasons and for InTheCrease for two.

Currently being published each month, Neibauer covers both the Philadelphia Phantoms and the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League for Just Hockey. Kevin also contributes feature stories and interviews for that site.

Besides those two sites, Neibauer has contributed to several Lacrosse sites, as well as writing for three Philadelphia based, All-Sports sites.

Kevin was introduced to the indoor game of Lacrosse in the 1970's, when as a child, he would attend games in the old Eagle Pro Box League.

Other Lacrosse background: Served as a referee in the Philadelphia Box Lacrosse Association.

Neibauer, by day, is a Union Sheet Metal Worker out of Local 19 in the Philadelphia Pennsylvania area and is married and lives in Philadelphia with his family.

Kevin can be reached at KJIEN@aol.com




Past Spotlights

PlayerTeam
Jason CrosbiePhiladelphia Wings
John TavaresBuffalo Bandits
Ryan BeneschToronto Rock
Geoff SniderPhiladelphia Wings
John ChristmasPhiladelphia Wings
Jeff SpanoPhiladelphia Wings
Lewis RatcliffCalgary Roughnecks
John TavaresBuffalo Bandits
Matt RoikPhiladelphia Wings
Tom MarechekPhiladelphia Wings
Dallas EliukPhiladelphia Wings
Kyle SweeneyPhiladelphia Wings
Pat O'Toole Rochester Knighthawks
Rich BrzeskiPhiladelphia Wings
Tom RyanPhiladelphia Wings
Jeff RatcliffePhiladelphia Wings
Chris PanosAnaheim Storm
Dan DawsonArizona Sting
Glenn ClarkToronto Rock
Brandon MillerSan Jose Stealth
Lewis RatcliffeCalgary Roughnecks
Michael LawAnaheim Storm
Mark SteenhuisBuffalo Bandits
Tom HajekPhiladelphia Wings
Jeff RatcliffePhiladelphia Wings
A.J ShannonBuffalo Bandits
Jim VeltmanToronto Rock
Chris DriscollToronto Rock
John GallantColorado Mammoth
Eric MillerColorado Mammoth
Brian Langtry Colorado Mammoth
Tracy KeluskyCalgary Roughnecks
Tom StillColorado Mammoth
Kyle CoulingBuffalo Bandits
Colin DoyleToronto Rock
Gary GaitColorado Mammoth
Bill GreerColumbus Landsharks
Aaron WilsonToronto Rock
Al TruantColorado Mammoth
Kevin FinneranToronto Rock
Ben PrepchuckColorado Mammoth
Pat O'Toole Rochester Knighthawks
Kevin FinneranToronto Rock
Paul CantabenePhiladelphia Wings
Blaine ManningToronto Rock
Gary RosyskiAlbany Attack
Neal PowlessAlbany Attack
Gary RosyskiAlbany Attack
Jesse PhillipsCalgary Roughnecks
Colin DoyleToronto Rock
Ryan O'ConnorVancouver Ravens
Paul GaitWashington Power
Chris KonopliffOttawa Rebel
Kyle ArbuckleColumbus Landsharks
Matt KingCalgary Roughnecks
Dave StilleyPhiladelphia Wings
Cam BomberryNew Jersey Storm
Kaleb TothCalgary Roughnecks
Dwight MaetcheVancouver Ravens
Greg TraynorPhiladelphia Wings
Paul TalmoNew Jersey Storm
Mark MillonPhiladelphia Wings
Rod SquireToronto Rock
Gee NashNew York Saints
Pat MaddalenaBuffalo Bandits
Tom MarechekPhiladelphia Wings
Dan TeatAlbany Attack
Derek MalawskyBuffalo Bandits
Josh SandersonAlbany Attack
Steve FannellAlbany Attack
Ryan PowellBuffalo Bandits
Cam WoodsAlbany Attack
Colin DoyleToronto Rock
Peter SchmitzPLPA President
Glen ClarkToronto Rock
Pat O'TooleRochester Knighthawks
Mike AccursiBuffalo Bandits
Phil SandersonAlbany Attack
Matt ShearerPittsburg Crossefire
Tim SoudanRochester Knighthawks
Jason WulderNew York Saints
Ted DowlingAlbany Attack
Mark MillonSyracuse Smash
Mark FryeNew York Saints
Pat MaddalenaBuffalo Bandits
Paul GaitPittsburgh Crossefire
Rich KilgourBuffalo Bandits
Chris GillToronto Rock
Paul CantabenePittsburg Crossefire
Adam MuellerAlbany Attack
Shawn WilliamsBuffalo Bandits
John Grant JRRochester Knighthawks
Mike AccursiSyracuse Smash
Gary Gait Baltimore Thunder
Tom RyanBaltimore Thunder
John TavaresBuffalo Bandits
Tim SoudanRochester Knighthawks
Kevin FinneranPhiladelphia Wings
Bob WatsonToronto Rock
Jim VeltmanToronto Rock
Jake BergeyPhiladelphia Wings
Chris PanosBuffalo Bandits
Troy CordingleyBuffalo Bandits
Regy ThorpeRochester Knighthawks


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