Former NLL professional box lacrosse team
The Ontario Raiders were a member of the National Lacrosse League during the 1998 NLL season . The franchise was founded as an expansion team in Hamilton, Ontario , and played their home games at Copps Coliseum . Former Buffalo Bandits coach Les Bartley was hired to coach the new team, and he lured former Bandit Jim Veltman to join him, becoming the Raiders' captain. The team finished a respectable 6-6 in their inaugural season, but missed the playoffs on a tie-breaker. Following the season, losses of $250,000 forced owner Chris Fritz to look for partners. [ 1] Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment considered purchasing the team, [ 1] [ 2] [ 3] but ultimately a group which included Bill Watters , the then assistant general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs , Paul Beeston , former president of the Toronto Blue Jays , Tie Domi , player for the Maple Leafs, and Bobby Orr , former NHL player, bought it for $250,000 and promptly relocated the team to Toronto 's Maple Leaf Gardens where they rebranded it the Toronto Rock . [ 4] [ 5]
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