Tracey Kelusky (born September 9, 1975) is a Canadian former lacrosse player and current head coach of Panther City LC. Kelusky played for the Columbus Landsharks, Montreal Express, Calgary Roughnecks, Buffalo Bandits and Philadelphia Wings. While with the Roughnecks, Kelusky was named captain and led them to titles in 2004 and 2009.
College career
Kelusky played college lacrosse at the University of Hartford, making his mark in the NCAA record books by scoring 59 goals in 14 games during the 2000 season.
Professional career
Kelusky joined the NLL in the 2000-2001 season with the Columbus Landsharks and was named the NLL Rookie of the Year. In the 2001-2002 season, he played for the expansion franchise Montreal Express. The Roughnecks picked up Kelusky first overall in the dispersal draft after the Express franchise folded in 2002.
In the 2005 National Lacrosse League All-Star Game, Kelusky won the MVP in front of a home crowd at the Pengrowth Saddledome. During the 2009 NLL season, he was named a reserve to the All-Star game.
In December 2013, Kelusky was acquired by the Philadelphia Wings as a free agent.
On September 19, 2014, Kelusky announced he was retiring from professional lacrosse.
Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Kelusky became an assistant coach for the New England Blackwolves. For the 2019-20 season he served as offensive coach for the Philadelphia Wings. Kelusky became the first-ever head coach for the expansion Panther City LC club in 2021.
Statistics
NLL
Reference:
Awards
2000, Drafted first overall by the Columbus Landsharks
2001, NLL Rookie of the Year
2001, NLL second team all pro
2002, NLL first team all pro
2002, Inside Lacrosse Magazine's NLL MVP (voted by NLL players and coaches) 2002, part of Canada's silver medal team at the World Lacrosse Championship 2002, part of Team Canada at the Heritage Cup 2003, NLL first team all pro 2003, part of Canada's gold medal team at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship 2004, part of Canada's Heritage Cup-winning team 2004, NLL first team all pro 2004, Champion's Cup 2005, NLL All Star Game Most Valuable Player 2005, NLL second team all pro 2007, NLL Sportsmanship Award 2009, Champion's Cup 2022, Les Bartley Award
Personal life
Kelusky is a boyhood friend of professional wrestler Bobby Roode. Kelusky even made an appearance on the December 29th, 2011 edition of Impact Wrestling, where he confronted Roode and was attacked by him.