Tanner Fetch. (Facebook/Tanner Fetch)

By Jeff D’Andrea

A Fetching Opportunity

P.A.’s Fetch could go from NLL broadcaster to goalie with pro tryout this weekend

Oct 8, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Tanner Fetch has the extremely rare opportunity to go from reporting on the National Lacrosse League (NLL) as a broadcaster to actually playing in the league he used to report on.

After covering the Saskatchewan Rush on the radio with 92.9 The Bull and 98 Cool among other responsibilities, Fetch was invited for a professional tryout to become a goaltender with the NLL’s newest team—the Panther City Lacrosse Club based in Fort Worth, Texas, starting on Saturday.

“It’s kind of crazy, that transition, right… it’s kind of a 360 now. I might be on the other side of it where I get to stop some balls and be talked about, versus being the guy that talks about those guys,” Fetch said.

Fetch said he got the call on Tuesday from Panther City general manager Bob Hamley about the tryout and quickly cleared his Thanksgiving weekend schedule to make it work.

“It was that quick of a turnaround. I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m over the moon for it. It’s always something I’ve dreamed of, I spent a lot of times at the arena as a kid, wishing I could be in the pro leagues,” Fetch said. “Going to Edmonton to watch the Rush before they moved to Saskatoon, that was the dream of mine, and maybe I have an opportunity to make that come true. Regardless, it’s an opportunity I won’t pass it and I’ll cherish forever.”

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Lacrosse has taken Fetch all over the world, to international tournaments in Finland, Germany, and Las Vegas to mention a few. He’s even represented Ireland on their national lacrosse team.

In his experience as a player in tournaments, especially the Founders Cup where NLL professionals often participate, Fetch believes this will help his odds during the big opportunity that awaits him in Fort Worth.

“I’m going in confident. I feel good, I have a lot of experience under my belt. When you get the call, you have to be ready to perform. I’ve been working out nonstop here in these offseasons,” Fetch said. “It’s been weird because COVID but a damper on our seasons, so I haven’t played a lot of lacrosse in this past year— but it’s like riding a bike for me. When I put the pads on, it’s just muscle memory at this point. I’m in the best shape of my life right now, better shape than when I was 18 years old. I feel good going into it and I feel like I have something to prove.”

Now at the “sweet spot” age of 29 for being a professional lacrosse goaltender, Fetch has dedicated a lot of his life to the game of lacrosse over the years not just as a player, but as a coach and referee. He said he keeps giving himself to the game of lacrosse to connect with his heritage, to shut out everything and enjoy the sport, and because the sport of lacrosse always seems to give back.

“It’s a gift from the creator for us. It’s an Indigenous game and I get to connect with my Indigenous, Métis roots. I just forget about everything in life and play lacrosse. It heals you physically and mentally, it clears it up and you just have fun,” Fetch said. “The camaraderie in the locker room with the guys, and the coaches, and the officials, it’s like one big family, worldwide for lacrosse. It’s something that I can’t forget and something I’m not ready to let go. So I keep going when I can, go wherever I can, and do whatever I can within lacrosse. It’s a blessing.”

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW