Halifax Thunderbirds ‘excited’ about returning box lacrosse games
Posted Nov 7, 2021 07:50:00 PM.
Halifax's professional lacrosse team is excited about getting back to playing matches after its first season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We're excited to be back,” Halifax Thunderbirds president and CEO John Catalano says. “We started off on high notes and the city seemed to gravitate to us very quickly which was exciting. It's been amazing and we're looking forward to continuing with that this upcoming year.”
The box lacrosse team, also known as an indoor lacrosse team, started its first game on Dec. 7, 2019 under North America's National Lacrosse League (NLL).
Founded in 1986, the NLL is a men's professional box lacrosse team that currently has 13 teams across Canada and the United States with a 14th team in Las Vegas joining next season.
Other teams in the league include the Toronto Rock, Calgary Roughnecks, Vancouver Warriors, Albany FireWolves and Philadelphia Wings.
While the majority of the NLL's other teams have been able to play full seasons, Catalano says the COVID-19 pandemic is something “difficult” and “hard to describe” for the Halifax Thunderbirds, particularly because the team's owners spent so much time and money trying to establish and market a new franchise.
“It was difficult, not only financially but just from a side of not playing for a whole year — it was difficult to not play,” Catalano tells CityNews Halifax. “Luckily, we have a great owner in Curt Styres who kept a majority of the staff.”
Catalano says management tried their best to not lay off any staff members and continued to push through the situation.
“So far, it's paying off,” he says. “We're seeing our numbers spike this year which is great to see; our season ticket numbers are way up.”
All smiles this week because lacrosse is BACK pic.twitter.com/ALToZ6hRBl
— Halifax Thunderbirds (@HFXThunderbirds) November 1, 2021
Tickets for the Halifax Thunderbirds' games have recently gone on sale and Catalano says many people have already made purchases.
The team's home opener against the Saskatchewan Rush takes place at the Scotiabank Centre on Dec. 4.
Following games take place on Fridays, Saturdays and one Thursday game until the team's final match against the Rochester Knighthawks at the Scotiabank Centre on April 1, 2022.
The 2021-2022 @NLL Schedule is HERE!
We open Inaugural Season 2.0 on December 4th vs Saskatchewan at The Nest, and follow up with a Friday Rivalry match against the Rock
It's safe to say, we can't wait to get back to work!
FULL SCHEDULE: https://t.co/nOIp6FzUvS pic.twitter.com/n3qSYP6R0u
— Halifax Thunderbirds (@HFXThunderbirds) September 29, 2021
Catalano says when he first came to Halifax to help advise Styres, he had a feeling that lacrosse games would be popular.
“I knew that the way the National Lacrosse League was and the excitement of the game and the way that we are so ingrained in the community, I knew that it would catch on,” Catalano says. “I can't sit here and tell you that I thought it would happen as quickly as it did, but the team is very community-oriented … and that resonates well in Halifax.
“The game is very exciting; you don't have to be a lacrosse fan to enjoy the game. … It's a game that a lot of people will quickly learn to love just for the fact that it's an entertaining night out.”
While COVID-19 is still a health concern, Catalano says there are protocols the Halifax Thunderbirds is implementing to ensure everyone reamins safe.
For home games, spectators must show proof of full vaccination to enter. Moreover, the National Lacrosse League requires that players and staff get COVID-19 tests multiple times before games.
“Safety has to be number one,” he says. “We believe that in the League and definitely with ownership and myself. We feel it's very important to keep everyone safe.”
Now that there's a local box lacrosse team in Halifax, Catalano says he hopes it'll inspire more people including children to pick up the sport.
“I know there's a lot of hockey players in Halifax but it translates well for kids who are playing hockey to also play lacrosse,” he says. “We know a lot of kids that played both sports including a guy who is part owner of the [new Las] Vegas team and Wayne Gretzky.”
