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2008 was a tough year for 11 year NLL vet Chris Panos.

The three time Mann Cup winner, a rarity for an American (or really anyone else), was playing for a Chicago Shamrox team, riddled with injuries, that stumbled hard outta the blocks to a 1-7 record and what appeared to be a guaranteed permanent place at the bottom of the NLL standings.

During that time Panos’ name was added to the Shamrox’ injury list due to a broken foot, one which he played on a week after doing pretty severe damage to.

Panos had broken his foot against the Buffalo Bandits on February 24th, but attempted to play through the pain and suited up a week later when the Shamrox hosted the Rochester Knighthawks, dropping the game 18-8.

An MRI after the loss showed Panos had done enough damage to put him on crutches for ten weeks.

The Chicago forward then witnessed a monster turnaround by his teammates, one which saw them go from a 1-7 team parked at the bottom of the Eastern Division basement, to a team that went 5-3 to close out the year and finish just outside of a post-season spot.

Ask any player, whether your team is doing well or poorly, watching from the press box is not a fun place to be.

“Personally, it was definitely a tough season not competing every week with my teammates,” said Panos, ”but it gave me a unique opportunity to work on the B2 Network as a colour analyst for the remaining games for Chicago.”

From above, Panos was beyond impressed with the play from his teammates and elevated play from the younger guys on the squad. “It gave me a great chance to watch our team from the booth and see some of our younger players come into their own and contribute to the second half of the season.”

“We will have some added depth on offense and defense with some younger players getting invaluable playing experience last season, and I hope we can continue to build the chemistry it takes to make plays on a consistent game-to-game basis.”

Panos has been rehabbing his foot all summer and feels that with a healthy roster to start 2009, the Shamroz have the right formula, from their coaching staff to their players, to do some serious damage this winter.

“Jamie Batley is an outstanding coach and I truly love playing for him. He knows what it takes to win and I know the players appreciate his coaching style. Our front office and coaching staff get us prepared to be successful every week and anything less than a championship is a failed season to me. I’m sure my coaches and teammates would agree.”

Batley recently made a move in one of this year’s biggest off-season deals, swapping keepers with the San Jose Stealth, landing the Shamrox, recent Mann Cup winning tender, Anthony Cosmo. Although Panos felt last year’s team was already capable of doing some big things, he also feels Cosmo will be a huge addition to Chicago.

“Plain and simple, Cosmo is a superstar and a game changer who gives our team a chance to win every single night. He will fit into our system well and I look forward to making the playoffs this season for the first time in franchise history with him as our number one goalie.”

The Shamrox, counted out by many during their first two seasons in the league, have a host of players that most wouldn’t consider NLL superstars, but their hard working, never quit attitude made last season’s playoff push one of the most intense close-outs the NLL has ever seen.

Panos, who is counting the days until Chicago’s training camp opens up, says to expect more of the same from the boys in green this year.

“We were close to making the playoffs with many injuries last year, but with a full healthy line up, and the addition of Cosmo,  I expect our team to make some noise this season, especially in the tougher Eastern Conference. We will be the hardest working team every game. We have to be to attain our ultimate goal of an NLL Championship. Time will tell, stay tuned…”

Chicago opens up the NLL season against the same team Panos last stepped on the floor against, the Rochester Knighthawks.

The teams meet on December 27th at 8PM local time at Chicago’s Sears Centre.

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