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Philadelphia Wings

Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience

A box lacrosse game between the Philadelphia Wings and the Minnesota Swarm at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Philadelphia Wings were an American professional box lacrosse team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They played in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) from 1987 to 2014, and then again from 2018 to 2026.

The team started in 1987 as one of the first four teams in what was then called the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League, which later became the NLL.

After playing in Philadelphia for 28 seasons, the team moved to Uncasville, Connecticut in 2014 and changed its name to the New England Black Wolves.

In 2017, the NLL announced a new team for the 2018–19 season, and it took the Wings name to honor Philadelphia's lacrosse history. This newer version of the Wings stopped playing after the 2026 season.

The Wings shared the record for the most titles in NLL history, winning six championships: four North American Cups and two Champion's Cups in 1998 and 2001.

History

The Philadelphia Wings were one of the first four teams in the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League. They joined the New Jersey Saints, Washington Wave, and Baltimore Thunder in the first season. The Wings became very popular and drew big crowds.

The Wings won their first big championship in 1989. They won again in 1990 and 1994. In 1992, the Buffalo Bandits joined the league and became rivals, meeting in the championship many times.

The league changed its name to the NLL in 1998. The Wings kept winning, earning more titles in 1998 and 2001. In 2001, they won their sixth title by beating the Toronto Rock.

Philadelphia Wings at Minnesota Swarm in February 2006

After some hard years, the Wings returned to the playoffs in 2008 with new coach Dave Huntley. Players like Athan Iannucci and Geoff Snider became stars that year.

In 2011, John Tucker became the new coach. The team had a tough season. Later that year, Johnny Mouradian became coach and made changes to the team.

In 2014, the Wings moved from Philadelphia to Uncasville, Connecticut and were renamed the New England Black Wolves.

In 2017, a new team was created in Philadelphia and took the "Wings" name. They played their first game in 2018 against the Buffalo Bandits. The team stopped playing after the 2025–26 season.

Players

The Philadelphia Wings had a special group of players who wore the team’s colors proudly. Some of their uniform numbers were retired, meaning they would never be used again to honor these amazing athletes.

Philadelphia Wings retired numbers
No.PlayerPos.Career
11Kevin FinneranMF1993–2002
35Dallas EliukGT1991–2005
42Tom Marechek1994–2005
66Jake Bergey1998–2008

All-time record

SeasonConferenceW–LFinishHomeRoadGFGACoachPlayoffs
1987 3–32nd2–11–28682Steve WeyLost in semifinals
1988 3–53rd2–21–39790Steve WeyLost in semifinals
1989 6–21st4–02–212296Dave EvansWon Championship
1990 6–22nd3–13–18982Dave EvansWon Championship
1991American5–53rd3–22–3129131Dave EvansMissed playoffs
1992American3–52nd1–32–2106109Dave EvansLost Championship
1993American7–11st4–03–112186Dave EvansLost Championship
1994American6–21st4–02–212789Tony ReschWon Championship
1995 7–11st4–03–111594Tony ReschWon Championship
1996 8–2T-1st4–14–1165114Tony ReschLost Championship
1997 7–31st3–24–1137115Tony ReschLost in semifinals
1998 9–31st3–36–0166148Tony ReschWon Championship
1999 5–74th4–21–5153153Tony ReschLost in semifinals
2000 7–54th4–23–3172165Tony ReschLost in semifinals
2001 10–42nd6–14–3205177Tony ReschWon Championship
2002Eastern8–82nd6–22–6222237Adam MuellerLost in quarterfinals
2003Eastern8–82nd6–22–6203209Adam MuellerMissed playoffs
2004Eastern7–94th3–54–4192198Adam MuellerMissed playoffs
2005Eastern6–104th3–53–5213218Lindsay SandersonMissed playoffs
2006Eastern8–85th5–33–5184184Lindsay SandersonMissed playoffs
2007Eastern6–106th4–42–6178186Lindsay SandersonMissed playoffs
2008Eastern10–64th7–13–5225220Dave HuntleyLost in quarterfinals
2009Eastern7–95th4–43–5188193Dave HuntleyMissed playoffs
2010Eastern5–116th3–52–6168194Dave HuntleyMissed playoffs
2011Eastern5–115th2–63–5189133John TuckerMissed playoffs
2012Eastern7–93rd3–54–4176207Johnny MouradianLost in Division Semifinal
2013Eastern7–93rd4–43–5170207Johnny MouradianLost in Division Semifinal
2014Eastern6–104th2–74–3202218Blaine HarrisonMissed Playoffs
2019Eastern4–146th3–61–8218246Paul DayDid not qualify
2020Eastern8–63rd3–35–3151134Paul DayNo playoffs held
2021EasternSeason cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022Eastern9–95th4–55–4185199Paul DayLost Conference Semi-finals
2023Eastern9–95th4–55–4200211Paul DayDid not qualify
2024Unified6–1213th1–85–4198233Paul DayDid not qualify
2025Unified7–1112th4–53–6207231Ian RubelDid not qualify
2026Unified5–1314th3–62–7165200Ian RubelDid not qualify
Total35 seasons187–181 107–7979–1024,6614,545  
Playoff totals 16–13 10–46–9360329  

Playoff results

SeasonGameVisitingHome
1987SemifinalsWashington 20Philadelphia 15
1988SemifinalsPhiladelphia 10New Jersey 12
1989ChampionshipNew York 10Philadelphia 11
1990SemifinalsNew York 8Philadelphia 9
ChampionshipPhiladelphia 17New England 7
1992Division SemifinalBaltimore 12Philadelphia 14
Division FinalPhiladelphia 8New York 6
ChampionshipBuffalo 11Philadelphia 10 (OT)
1993Division FinalNew York 9Philadelphia 17
ChampionshipPhiladelphia 12Buffalo 13
1994Division FinalNew York 7Philadelphia 17
ChampionshipPhiladelphia 26Buffalo 15
1995SemifinalsPhiladelphia 19Buffalo 16
ChampionshipRochester 14Philadelphia 15 OT
1996SemifinalsBoston 8Philadelphia 10
ChampionshipPhiladelphia 10Buffalo 15
1997SemifinalsRochester 15Philadelphia 13
1998SemifinalsBuffalo 12Philadelphia 17
Championship (Game 1)Baltimore 12Philadelphia 16
Championship (Game 2)Philadelphia 17Baltimore 12
1999SemifinalsPhiladelphia 2Toronto 13
2000SemifinalsPhiladelphia 10Toronto 14
2001SemifinalsRochester 11Philadelphia 12
ChampionshipsPhiladelphia 9Toronto 8
2002QuarterfinalsWashington 12Philadelphia 11
2008Division SemifinalPhiladelphia 12Buffalo 14
2012Division SemifinalPhiladelphia 13Rochester 14
2013Division SemifinalPhiladelphia 8Rochester 10
2022Conference SemifinalsPhiladelphia 8San Diego 9

Awards and honors

The Philadelphia Wings have had many players recognized for their great skills and achievements. Several players are in the NLL Hall of Fame, including Scott Montgomery, Chris Fritz, Gary Gait, Paul Gait, Mike French, Tom Marechek, Tony Resch, Dallas Eliuk, Terry Sanderson, and Kevin Finneran.

The team also holds many important records in the league. Athan Iannucci scored the most goals in one season with 71 goals in 2008. Geoff Snider got the most loose balls in a season with 244 in 2008 and also shared the record for most faceoff wins in a season with 318 in both 2005 and 2008. Paul Gait scored the most goals ever in one game, with 10 goals on March 26, 1994.

YearPlayerAward
1989John TuckerChampionship Game MVP
1990Brad KotzChampionship Game MVP
1994Tom MarechekRookie of the Year
Scott MontgomeryChampionship Game MVP
1995Gary GaitMost Valuable Player
Gary GaitChampionship Game MVP
1996Gary GaitMost Valuable Player
1997Gary GaitMost Valuable Player
1998Dallas EliukChampion's Cup MVP (series and game 1)
Bill MillerChampion's Cup MVP (game 2)
2001Tony ReschCoach of the Year
Russ ClineExecutive of the Year
Dallas EliukChampion's Cup MVP
2006Sean GreenhalghSportsmanship Award
2008Athan IannucciMost Valuable Player
2020Paul DayGM of the Year
Les Bartley Award

Head coaching history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffs
GCWLW%GCWLW%
 1 Steve Wey1987–19881468.429202.000
2Dave Evans1989–1993422715.643862.750
3Mike French1994862.7502201.000
4Tony Resch1995–2001785325.6791284.667
5Adam Mueller2002–2004482325.479101.000
6Lindsay Sanderson2005–2007482028.417–
7Dave Huntley2008–2010482226.458101.000
8John Tucker201116511.312–
9Johnny Mouradian2012–2013321418.438202.000
10Blane Harrison201418612.333–
11Paul Day2019–2024863650.419101.000%
12Ian Rubel2025–2026361224.333–

Fan support and traditions

Philadelphia fans loved their team, the Philadelphia Wings very much. They often showed lots of energy and support.

Fans had many fun traditions. During the national anthem, they made a special "tsch" sound to copy an old recording the team used. When players from the visiting team were introduced, fans would shout "sucks" after each name, including coaches, trainers, and referees.

One popular chant during the game was to tell the visiting goalie, "It's all your fault" after each goal they allowed.

A special tradition was the "W-I-N-G-S" cheer. Different fans led the cheers over the years, but the fun "W-I-N-G-S WINGS!" chant kept going even after the team came back to Philadelphia.

Related articles

Uncasville, Connecticut
New England Black Wolves
Tony Resch
Box lacrosse
Philadelphia
National Lacrosse League

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