This month's featured hardshell is Connor Kelly ('18), who just wrapped up his rookie season with the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League. Kelly is one of several former Terps on the Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club of the Premiere Lacrosse League, getting ready for the PLL's inaugural season in June.  

 You just wrapped up your first NLL season, how would you describe that experience and what were your biggest takeaways from the year? 

"Honestly, it's been a journey, it's had its ups and downs. I've learned a ton both from being a player and playing in a new league. Being a rookie again, you're learning from a lot of greats, being on the Seals we have Brodie Merrill, Dan Dawson, Garrett Billings. Just all-time greats that I've honestly learned so much [from] and my growth as a player has grown more this year than any other year before. So I think that that's what the box game has given me. It's given me a whole new perspective on the game and how to play it, being in small areas, dealing with small spaces, but also dealing with the physicality. So I've definitely learned a ton this spring and winter."

So the PLL is only like a month away it seems like from getting the ground running here. What excites you about this league and getting a chance to play with so many Terps together on the Whipsnakes?

"There's so many things I'm looking forward to - one is playing with all these Terp guys that I've played with a little bit for Team USA, but I've also obviously watched play so I'm so pumped to get on the field with those guys. I think the chemistry is going to be there right away and I know we're an unselfish group. We all got brought up by [Coach] Tillman for the most part so we all know our path. But then the second thing is not only playing with these great players, but also playing against the best players in the world and that's what's going to be fun. We're all condensed into six teams, so every game is going to be a battle and that's what I'm really excited about. Lastly, just excited to be a part of this growth, jumping in from the ground floor and joining with NBC Sports. Hopefully this sport continues to grow in the right direction and that's what I'm excited about."

You'll be visiting a ton of cities, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C. in the coming months, what advantages will a tour based model have for PLL?

"I think that's going to make the most out of every area we hop into. They've run the numbers and they've gone over what are the best spots that would gain the most momentum in terms of the weekend and I'm excited about all the areas we're hitting. I'm excited about going out west to San Jose, going out north to Hamilton, I think that's what it's all about. It's touching empty spots that the field game hasn't really been around so I'm excited about it and I think it's the right move at this point. That's why I'm a part of this league, I completely agree with its vision, so I'm excited about it."

Josh Rubinstein's story is a powerful one (click here to read). I saw that you had formed a relationship with him had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital and he's s someone you keep in contact with now. What kind if inspiration has he been to you?

"He's just been a tremendous inspiration. The fight he's given and the outlook he has towards life is just amazing to hear. He didn't have to say anything, you could just see it on his face that this sort of experience hasn't phased him and he continues to fight it. It just lets you know that you do not have it bad whatsoever. Any adversity you've dealt it, this kid has dealt with ten times more and that's what he's given to me. It's just a matter of perspective and he's been awesome. I reached out to him, I was actually back in Connecticut and I was trying to meet up with him but our schedules didn't align.  But I'm excited to see him this summer."

Now that you've had a little time to reflect, looking back what did you love about being a Terp and what were some of your fondest memories?

"It's been a whirlwind of a year, traveling a ton and being around the game has been awesome. But just being a part of that Terp family, there's nothing like it. To play under Coach Tillman, I say it all the time, but he's not just a coach to me. He's helped me out so much growing as a man and just dealing with people. Lastly, I think we have some of the best culture there is and just to be a part of the guys, the team - everybody's bought in, everybody's unselfish, everybody cares about one another. That's what I miss about it. Being in the professional realm and just sort of bouncing around each weekend, you start to develop that team dynamic. But it's nothing like fighting with each other for five hours a day and then hanging out after. So, there's nothing like it."

-Terps-