For over a decade, Rob Pannell has set the gold standard for what it means to be a professional attackman. His dual-threat ability to score with power and pass with precision has landed him atop a handful of the all-time PLL record books.

Now, in his 13th season in the league, he marks a new chapter in his career as he signed with the Maryland Whipsnakes and finds himself sharing a locker room with TJ Malone, a second-year standout who might be walking a path Pannell helped carve.

“I remember always watching Rob’s highlights growing up,” Malone said. “I really loved the way that he played as an ultimate quarterback. Ever since middle school, I have started watching Rob. I would be in history class watching his highlights. I have always admired the way that Rob played.”

At first glance, the two seem separated by a generation. Still, their lacrosse DNA runs parallel, rooted in the disciplined, fast-paced offensive systems of longtime college head coach Jeff Tambroni.

Pannell starred under Tambroni at Cornell, rewriting Ivy League record books and earning a Tewaaraton Award.

Over a decade later, Malone shared a similar spark under Tambroni’s direction at Penn State, where he became the 2023 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, an All-American and eventually the 2023 PLL Rookie of the Year.

“Coach [Tambroni] would always tell me about Rob when I was at Penn State and just said that I kind of reminded him of Rob, which I think is one of the biggest compliments you can get,” Malone said.

Funnily enough, Pannell earned that same rookie honor in 2013, when he notched 42 points (25G, 17A) with the New York Lizards as a newcomer in the MLL.

“There's a special bond that comes with attackmen, and playing for Coach Tambroni, and knowing that you have that common denominator, your relationship is off to a great start before even meeting,” Pannell said. “[After signing with the Whipsnakes] I shot Tambroni a text like, ‘I’m really excited to play with TJ,’ and he was like ‘Oh, you guys are going to love playing together.’”

Now, the two have finally had a chance to connect in person at training camp in Albany as Pannell, Malone and the Whipsnakes prepare for Opening Weekend on May 31.

“It was funny, we shot for the first time in New York City before coming to camp, and I thought he was a righty, and he is actually a lefty, which is probably the best compliment I can give a player,” Pannell said. “It’s one of the ways that our game is similar, that we are both equal-handed and comfortable playing anywhere on the field. That’s something where I feel coach Tambroni had a little bit of an influence on us.”

In his rookie season, Malone was the only player in the league to tally double-digit goals with each of his hands, racking up 13 with his right and 11 with his left, keeping opposing goalies on their toes.

For Malone, the presence of Pannell isn’t just exciting — it’s instructional.

“I think that we are pretty different players, but [Rob’s] ability to get to the island and make things happen is something I am trying to add to my game,” Malone said. “... He’s got every single award that you can ask for in the sport of lacrosse, so I think that veteran experience and having someone like that in the locker room who has won at every single level says a lot.”

Yet, Malone is not the only one impressed with his newfound teammate.

“I have watched TJ over the years and have admired the way he plays,” Pannell said.” His season last year, watching what he did from the start, in the playoffs, and in big games. Those are things that you can't really teach. You just have to develop on your own, or you are born with, to play at that high level with that composure so early in your career.”

Pannell is also teaming up with Matt Rambo, the 2019 PLL MVP and longtime leader of the Whipsnakes offense. Together, the veteran duo gives Jim Stagnitta’s Maryland squad one of the most experienced attack lines in the league — and for Malone, it’s the ideal environment to grow.

“What [Pannell] brings to the field is huge,” Malone said. “Having another veteran presence with him at Rambo at the attack is going to be critical to the team. Just being able to understand the flow of the program, which is something I am still trying to learn.”

After losing to the Utah Archers in the 2024 Cash App Championship, the Whipsnakes are hoping Pannell’s addition can be the missing puzzle piece needed to bring home the hardware.

“I think our whole offense has a lot of guys that can do a lot of things, which makes us so dangerous, and I think that Rob brings that to the team as well,” Malone said.