I hope everyone had a happy Fourth of July and took the time off to spend time with friends and loved ones. The Fourth of July is a great time to honor our military service men and women for their service to our country. I wanted to take the time to honor and give our readers a chance to get to know Brendan Nichtern.
Brendan Nichtern is an Attackman for the Chrome Lacrosse Club in the Premier Lacrosse League. He was the first pick in the second round of the 2022 PLL Draft selected at ninth overall by the Chrome.
Brendan is off to a hot start in his rookie season. Through the first five weeks, he is the starting X-attackman with 17 points (9G, 8A). He and fellow rookie, Logan Wisnauskas have led the Chrome to a 4-1 start to the season.
Nichtern has a unique background and college experience compared to many of his teammates and opponents in the PLL. Brendan played lacrosse for Army West Point where he rewrote the lacrosse record books. Here are a few of his college highlights.
- 2022 Team Captain
- 2022 Teawaarton Finalist
- 2022 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year
- 2022 All-Patriot League First Team
- 2022 USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American
- 2022 Inside Lacrosse All-American
- 2021 Team Captain
- 2021 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year
- 2021 All-Patriot League First Team
- 2021 Teawaarton Award Top 25
- 2021 Inside Lacrosse All-American
- 2021 USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American
- 2020 Inside Lacrosse Third Team All-American
- 2020 Tewaaraton Award Watch List
- 2019 USILA All-America Honorable Mention
- 2019 All-Patriot League Second Team
- 2019 All-Patriot League Tournament Team
Brendan graduated from the United States Military Academy West Point in May, 2022. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army.
I had the opportunity to chat with the man himself and here are questions I asked to get to know more about Brendan Nichtern.
You grew up in Massapequa, when did you first pick up a stick, and who were your biggest influences?
I began playing lacrosse in 2003 with Coach Konen who was one of my biggest influences. Coach Konen started off as my coach with the Copiauge lacrosse league and later became one of my biggest role influences. Coach Konen taught me many things: such as confidence, letting the game to myself and always having fun. I’m lucky enough to now call Coach Konen as a second father figure since I came best friends with his sons Bailey and Griffin.
You had an impressive career at Army, what went into your decision to play at West Point?
I had two cousins who grew up in Massapequa and whom went on the play lacrosse at West Point. I grew up going to football games and lacrosse games. As I matured, my cousins told me how much they loved the culture and I knew it was where I was meant to play.
You have gotten off to a great start with the Chrome and are paired with another top rookie, Logan Wisnauskas, at attack. Can you talk about your transition to the PLL and what your first few weeks have been like?
The transition has been smooth mainly from the personalities and leadership in the locker room. My captains Macky and Ranny have done an excellent job creating a welcoming and comfortable culture from the first day of training camp. This has allowed me to feel comfortable on the field and to build better chemistry with my teammates.
What does the future hold for you along with your lacrosse career? You have a service commitment with your graduation from West Point, can you expand upon that?
I am working at West Point as an athletic intern until January. Following that, I will attend Field Artillery school in Oklahoma until the end of June. After that, it depends on the leadership and my unit at my next post which decide if I can continue my lacrosse Career.
I really enjoyed your piece on the Patriot Network about your friendship with Harrison, I have an uncle with cerebral palsy. Can you provide our readers a quick overview of that relationship and how it may inform your future work with working individuals with special needs?
Harrison was the first one to truly kickstart that passion. I enjoyed every Tuesday that I spent with him during elementary school and I just fell in love with the special relationships they built. I felt like he taught me so many life lessons while I hoped to do the same. My dream is to eventually work with kids with special needs somewhere down the line.
Finally, Jordie and I want to know when the Arya celly will make a comeback?
It will never make a comeback. Depending on the upcoming season in August, maybe that will spark a new one.
