New York Lizards midfielder Brian Langtry has announced his retirement following his first game of 2013.
“I played that first game with the Lizards, running up and down the field and I felt like I didn’t have it physically,” Langtry said. “Mentally I figured I could get away with things given my experience, but the body only goes so far and running up and down the field against guys in their twenties was kind of a wakeup call.”
Langtry walks away from the game after an illustrious career that saw him record 167 goals and 111 assists in 113 games played.
“I’m grateful I had the chance to play professionally,” he continued. “I graduated back in 1998 before the start of the MLL so I had no plans on ever being a professional anything. Luckily the MLL came around and I moved back east to play for the [Bridgeport] Barrage. I’ve met so many great people and built so many great friendships I was blessed and fortunate to get to play.”
“I am very thankful that fans cared enough to come out and watch the games and spend their money to watch a less than super athletic teacher play,” he concluded. “The fans are what make the game so a big and a giant ‘thank you’ goes to them which is something I have expressed throughout my career as well.”
Langtry graduated from Hofstra University in 1998 receiving American East Player of the Year and All-Conference First Team accolades.
He began his MLL career in 2001, the League’s Inaugural Season, with the Bridgeport Barrage appearing in 14 games and recording 25 points on 18 goals and seven helpers in his rookie season. In 2003 he joined the Bayhawks in Baltimore for two seasons appearing in a total of 10 games and recording 16 goals and nine assists.
After taking a year off in 2005, Langtry was selected by the Denver Outlaws in the 2006 Expansion Draft where he spent the next six seasons helping the Outlaws reach the post season every year. While in Denver he appeared in 55 games scoring 99 goals and recording 75 assists.
During his time in Denver, Langtry was selected as an MLL All-Star three times, earning All-Star MVP honors in 2009.
Following the 2011 season, Langtry joined the Lizards appearing in all 14 games in 2012 with 23 goals and 12 assists and earning another MLL All-Star spot. In 2013 Langtry appeared in the season opening 14-11 win over the Boston Cannons before deciding to end his career.
Langtry currently resides in Colorado where he will concentrate on his teaching duties and will continue to spread his love for the game coaching high school lacrosse and his DoCo Lacrosse club teams with Denver Outlaws defenseman Matt Bocklet. Visit docolacrosse.com for more information about Langtry’s summer camps and clinics.
