Sports fans, get ready to welcome the newest professional sports team to North Texas: the Panther City Lacrosse Club.
Calling Fort Worth and the Dickies Arena home, the professional box lacrosse team is the 14th franchise in the National Lacrosse League.
A fun fact: The NLL is entering its 35th season, and ranks third in average attendance among pro indoor sports worldwide, only behind the NBA and NHL.
Box lacrosse traces its roots back to Canada and is played on turf carpet inside a hockey rink with glass and rink boards still intact. As in hockey, there are live substitutions, and a 30-second shot clock much like basketball, which encourages shots on goal and high-scoring games.
The team is led by head coach Tracey Kelusky, who spent 14 years in the National Lacrosse League and was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame in 2016. Kelusky won two championships as a player with Calgary in 2004 and 2009, and is a former No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2000 NLL Entry Draft. He won Rookie of the Year in 2001, and went on to be named an NLL All-Star five times over the course of his playing career.
Since it's the team's inaugural season, the club is full of young and promising talent. Offensively, six-year veteran Phil Caputo will lead the attack for Panther City and currently leads the team in goals scored.
Elsewhere on the floor, fans can look to up-and-coming offensive threats such as Will Malcom, Patrick Dodds, and Mike Triolo.
Panther City will rely on team captain, five-year veteran, and former NLL Champion Chad Cummings on the back end. The 6-foot-5-inch defender is a pillar on the defensive end and can be seen paired with other franchise centerpieces such as Matt Hossack, Connor Sellars, and Pat Foley.
Between the crease for Panther City, Kevin Orleman patrols the paint. The 25-year-old netminder has spent three seasons in the NLL and previously backed up one of the league's best goalies. The athletic-style goalie is known for stepping up in net and challenging offensive players as they attempt to score.
Fans looking to catch all the LAX action can follow the team's social channels on Facebook, Twitter @PantherCityLax, and Instagram @panthercitylax.
Secure tickets by visiting PantherCityLax.com or by calling/texting 833-467-2529. All Panther City Lacrosse Club's games can also be seen on ESPN+.
Panther City Lacrosse Club plays at Dickies Arena.
