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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. |
03/22/03 Tracy Kelusky - Calgary Roughnecks Tracy Kelusky the Calgary Roughnecks had a few words with PLPA Correspondent David W. Unkle following their 19-13 loss to the Philadelphia Wings. The 2001 National Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year is in his initial season in Calgary after being selected from Montreal in the dispersal draft prior to the season. | ||
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Can you talk about your first season in Calgary? | |
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It's gone well; we have a good mix of guys. We have some veterans and some younger players. At first, I was a little tentative moving (to Calgary) but now I really love it. Calgary is a real vibrant city, the lacrosse fans are really starting to embrace us which is huge and if we put a successful franchise on the floor (which we have so far this season , it's going to make it even better.
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It was reported that you preferred to go to either Ottawa or Toronto in the dispersal draft. Can you comment on the reports that you wouldn't report to Calgary if you were selected? | |
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My whole family is from the East Coast and I'm real close with my family. My sister has a couple of kids and my niece and nephew mean the world to me and I like to be around them. If it were an option for me to play on the East Coast I would have definitely preferred that. Plus, my girlfriend is an East Coast girl. Like I said, I was a little tentative at first but once I got out to Calgary, things really clicked. The ownership group is awesome and the whole city of Calgary is vibrant. No it's one of those things, I love the game of lacrosse and I'm not going to sit out. For me to make somewhat of a living, it would be foolish for me to sit out and not play. | |
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Last year the team was 4-12; with the signing of yourself and Caleb Toth, the team was picked to finish at best 8-8; would you say that the team has surpassed everyone's expectations this year? | |
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We have seven or eight new faces on the roster this year and that's huge. Our defense is playing awesome and most of the guys are back from last year. A year's worth of experience goes a long way in this league. When we got a couple of wins early, it gave us a lot of confidence.
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You are widely viewed as an offensive player but people are beginning to comment on your leadership abilities. Do you see yourself moving into coaching when your playing career ends? | |
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Definitely, once my playing days are over, I would love to be a coach. As far as the leadership goes, last year in Montreal I was fortunate having the guys that I did on my team. We had a huge supporting cast; everybody in the dressing room was a cheerleader. We have the same thing here in Calgary; Rob Desormeaux is a veteran guy and everybody throughout our lineup is a cheerleader which makes my job a lot easier. I like to practice what I preach; when you're banging you hope everyone else is.
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Do you feel a different responsibility playing for Team Canada than you do for your team in league play? | |
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I don't think so. Obviously, it's overwhelming playing for your country. It's a big honor to have the opportunity to put the Team Canada jersey on; it's indescribable. Bit once I strap on the pads, its go time. If I going to go harder for Team Canada and not go as hard for Calgary, than I'm selling out my teammates in Calgary. Obviously, playing for Team Canada is huge and it's been a dream of mine ever since I was little. John Grant, Sr. is an idol of mine and he played for Team Canada back in the day. To represent your country in the same manner that your idol did is indescribable.
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Being the 2001 Rookie of the Year, would you comment on the pressure you experienced last season. | |
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The coaching staff was great last year in Montreal. They gave me the chance to play and didn't put a lot of pressure on my shoulders. Last year we had a huge supporting cast, so it didn't always rest on one player.
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Quick question, growing up in Ontario; hockey or lacrosse (and why)? | |
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I grew up playing hockey and my friend was John Grant, Jr. Our dads worked together and we played hockey and baseball together. They recruited me into lacrosse and as you know, hockey and lacrosse compliment each other very well, so it was a good fit. I had the opportunity to play field lacrosse in the States with the University of Hartford, which opened up a lot of doors for me.
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Tonight the Philadelphia fans booed the Canadian National Anthem in obvious response to the situation in Montreal (NHL) earlier this week. Can you share your thoughts on both situations? | |
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I don't think that (booing the national anthem) is called for anywhere. Everyone has their own opinions about it and they are entitled to have one. As a Canadian, I think it was wrong. With the United States being as close as they are, it's like we are one big country. As for tonight, I think it was wrong and just a matter of retaliation. I think it was harmless and even the Montreal event was relatively harmless. It was just people showing their feelings and in the free world, they're allowed to do that. I still don't think that it was appropriate.
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As a visiting player, is it intimidating to go into another arena and face 15,000 plus rabid, home-town lacrosse fans? | |
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I remember my first game going into Toronto and playing in front of 17,000 fans was wild, especially since I'm from that area. But everybody said, wait until you get to Philly, its madness. (Tonight) was a little intimidating but once you hit the floor, you try and put that out of your mind and focus on the task at hand. Philly came out strong tonight and the crowd really got into. I thought to myself, here's Philly, so this is what it's all about. At first it was a little difficult to adjust to but as the game progressed I think we did all right…it's a thrill, that's for sure.
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| PLPA Correspondent David W. Unkle is the host of The Topcat Sports Show airing on Philadelphia's Renaissance Radio Station, WNJC 1360-AM every Tuesday from 4:30-6:00PM (Eastern Time). The Topcat Sports Show is a personal interview style program that explores the world of professional sports that exists beyond the game. Join David W. Unkle as he delves into the lives and careers of a wide array of local, national, and international sports figures. David also is a Staff Writer for South Jersey Sports On-Line (www.SJSports.com) and Our Sports Central (www.oursportscentral.com). David is a former semi-professional football player and ice-hockey enthusiast, and covers the Philadelphia Wings (NLL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), Philadelphia KiXX (MISL), and Philadelphia Charge (WUSA). You can write to David at: topcatsports@msn.com or topcat4469@comcast.net |
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