Playing professional lacrosse has been a lifelong goal for John Piatelli.

“Three or four years old, I mean, my dad played at Springfield College, and then in the (Major Indoor Lacrosse League) back in the day for a few years for the Blazers, so I had a stick in my hand pretty young,” he said.

With lacrosse in his blood from the start, it was only a matter of time before Piatelli followed in the footsteps of his father. In high school, he was named an All-American playing in Massachusetts.

“My sister played. My younger brother plays. It’s always something we bond over,” Piatelli said. “It’s great going out still being able to shoot with my dad.”

Piatelli went on to engineer a stellar collegiate career at Cornell - a two-time Tewaaraton Watch List finalist, first-team All-Lvy League and national runner-up his senior season. His five years with the Big Red prepared him for life on and off the field.

“I think just going through different adversities, whether it’s not performing to your best at times or going through COVID and losing two seasons, face a decent amount of adversities,” he said.

After Cornell, Piatelli was drafted by the Cannons of the Premier Lacrosse League and the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League. He’s now balancing working in commercial real estate during the week and professional lacrosse on the weekend.

“I think the biggest thing is finding a way to get to the gym every day, and keep a stick in your hand during the week, getting shots up as much as you can and then just taking care of your body,” Piatelli said.

While still adapting to this change, he has handled it pretty well in his first season with the FireWolves. He finished the year fourth on the team in goals with 18 and fifth in assists with 21.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s nice to just meet new guys, being in a locker room, still having the atmosphere after graduating college.”

Now, he’s gearing up and training for his second season in the PLL. Piatelli is living out what he has always aspired to do since he as a kid.

“It’s pretty cool to be in those shoes now and just trying to remember when you see a little kid they do look up to you and aspire to be maybe a professional player. So it’s cool to try and inspire them and give back a little bit,” Piatelli said.