Kelusky ready to take flight with the Wings
Rebounds from being dropped by Black Wolves to become offensive coach for new NLL franchise in Philadelphia
Tracey Kelusky wasn’t used to rejection.
As a player, Kelusky had always been one of the best players on his team. He’d never experienced being cut.
He was so well regarded as a professional player he moved immediately from the floor to the bench. He cut his teeth at the junior level then joined the senior Lakers and the pros with the National Lacrosse League’s New England Black Wolves.
So, it was a tough blow when the Black Wolves elected last spring to not renew his contract as offensive co-ordinator.
“I never really had experienced that,” said Kelusky, 43.
“It opened up my eyes to what have I done wrong? What do I need to do better? I’m pretty passionate about this and this is something I really enjoy doing. I thought I should listen to the feedback from the people in New England. I have the most respect for the people I worked with there and the ownership. Take the feedback and move on.
“It also motivated me to be a better coach and not to take things for granted. Maybe, sometimes you get complacent and maybe I assumed. Shame on me for assuming.”
Kelusky wasn’t out of work for long. Peterborough Lakers general manager Paul Day was hired as coach/GM of the NLL’s expansion Philadelphia Wings. Observing Kelusky up close as offensive co-ordinator for the Lakers’ back-to-back Mann Cup teams, it was an easy call to hire Kelusky as offensive coach.
He fit all the criteria Day was looking for including extensive NLL playing experience. Kelusky was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame in 2016.
“We’re going to have a pretty young team in Philly so I like having a guy who is not that far removed from playing,” Day said.
“Working with Tracey the last four years, he loves the game. Lacrosse is his life. I really like the way he works with the guys and his style of offence. He gets everybody involved. He’s very focused on a team offence and I think that’s really what we’re looking for. I think we’re going to have a really good offence.”
Kelusky considers Day a mentor.
“I have always said, not to discredit anyone in New England and by no means am I saying I didn’t enjoy my time there,” Kelusky said, “but part and parcel with coaching is working with people you enjoy being around. People who push you to be better and people who understand the game so you can have some dialogue and collaboratively come up with a game plan.
“I’ve always enjoyed my time working with Haser (Lakers head coach Mike Hasen), Keaster (Lakers defensive coach Bobby Keast) and of course Paulie (Day). They are unbelievable lacrosse minds and mentors and have been in the industry a long time. When I heard the news, Paul was one of the first people I talked to. We had some dialogue and I’m thankful he offered me the job.”
Kelusky is excited by the challenge of building a team from scratch.
“One thing I’ve always prided myself on, and I think Paul is no different, is being a student of the game and trying to be good teachers,” he said.
“It’s going to be a challenge with a new franchise and not having the luxury of a core group of guys you’ve worked with in the past. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to create a culture and an environment with Paul. We’re very similar in the way we think and what we think can build successful teams.”
He’s excited by their young offensive group of players, led by first-round draft pick Chris Cloutier, the Lakers’ Josh Currier, Brett Hickey, Vaughn Harris,
Kiel Matisz, American Blaze Riorden and veteran Jordan Hall.
“Paul has made my job easy with some of the picks we had in the expansion draft,” Kelusky said. “We got a legit number one lefty, which is hard to come by, in the Cloutier kid. Our offence is as good as anybody’s right now which is pretty awesome.”
With the Mann Cup now a month in the rear-view mirror he said he’s had enough of a break.
The Wings training camp begins on Nov. 2 and their regular season on Dec. 15 when they host the Buffalo Bandits.
“I’m chomping at the bit to get going.”