Former member of Panther City Lacrosse Club (PCLC), Phil Caputo, now holds a valuable and unique role on this season’s Philadelphia Wings.
Caputo was selected seventh overall by the Ottawa Black Bears at this past summer’s dispersal draft of PCLC players on September 2nd. Two days later, he was traded to the Philadelphia Wings, along with Liam Patten and a 2027 1st Round Pick, for goaltender Zach Higgins.
A few weeks later, on September 20th, former PCLC Head Coach Tracey Kelusky was hired by the Wings to be their associate head coach and offensive coach. This marked Kelusky’s return to the Wings after holding the role of offensive coach during the franchise’s first two seasons before taking the PCLC head coaching job.
Caputo played for Kelusky’s PCLC team for three seasons. During that stretch of playing Kelusky’s offensive scheme, Caputo established himself as one of the team’s most effective finishers – he tallied 80 goals, which ended up being the second-most goals in franchise history.
Having played for Kelusky in the past (and having been such a successful offensive player under Kelusky’s leadership), Caputo now has the opportunity to help his new Wings teammates how to be their most productive selves playing in Kelusky’s system.
Since training camp, the Wings’ coaching staff have leaned on the 30-year-old Caputo to be a mentor to some of the team’s younger players. Having previously been in leadership roles, Caputo easily accepted this ask.
“Over the years, I’ve always been a leader in whatever sport I’ve been playing,” Caputo said. I’ve been captain before. I was an assistant captain in Panther City, so I kind of have that leadership built into me and in my style of play. Obviously, Rubes [Head Coach Ian Rubel] and TK [Kelusky] have leaned on me a little bit to just talk to these young guys and hold them accountable, so I kind of take pride in being in that leadership role. Even if I don’t have a letter on my jersey, I’ll still be that way and be that kind of teammate.”
“I still feel young at heart, but when you’ve got some 20-year-olds and even some 18-year-olds around at camp, you start to feel like the old guy, so I don’t mind taking that role.”
Caputo chooses to lead by example. Whether it’s on the floor (in games), in practice, or during the week, the Brampton, Ontario native tries to exhibit how to be the most complete player.
“It’s just being that in-your-face kind of guy, setting picks, doing all the little things right,” Caputo said. “If I’m not on the scoresheet, then I’m trying to do something else. I’m trying to free up my teammates, take away transition, and get big groundballs. Anything that can help the team, that’s what I’m trying to do. Hopefully, that kind of rubs off on the other guys.”
Playing on the right side with Joe Resetarits (35) and Sam Leclair (25), Caputo has been put in a situation where he can learn from a talented veteran while also being the talented veteran in the eyes of the five-years-younger Leclair. Seeing Leclair’s development this NLL season, it’s fairly evident that he’s trying to do a little bit of everything on the floor, just like Caputo.
“We bounce ideas off of each other, and he sees the game in a similar way I do,” Leclair said. “I see the way he plays, and I really respect his game. No matter how many years I’ve been in the league (this being my fourth) I’m still trying to learn as much as I can. And, with him playing for TK [Tracey Kelusky] last year and a couple years before, he knows and understands how things work, and he’s definitely been good for that transition, as well.”
Through Week Five of the 2024-25 season, Caputo has six goals and five assists. Caputo is one of six players on the team who has already scored five or more goals. As a team, the Wings are averaging 15.25 goals per game this season, which is currently the second-best in the NLL – the team is 3-1 on the year.
This Wings’ team has seen plenty of turnover over the offseason, Caputo’s addition being one of those changes. Prior to this season, the Wings had only earned one postseason berth – a 2022 Western Semi-final loss to the San Diego Seals. This season has just begun, but Caputo says that this year is going to be different in Philadelphia. He’ll be doing whatever he can to make this a memorable season.
“Obviously, it’s a big turnaround at Philly, and we expect big changes,” Caputo said. “As a group, we’re really buying in.”
By Adam Levi
