Ontario Raiders

Last updated
Ontario Raiders
OntarioRaiders.png
DivisionEast
Based in Hamilton, Ontario
Arena Copps Coliseum
ColoursBlack, Gold, Red
ChairmanChris Fritz
Head coachLes Bartley
General managerJohn Mouradian
Later Toronto Rock

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]

Contents

Awards and honours

YearPlayerAward
1998 Colin Doyle Rookie of the Year

Notable players

Team roster

No.PositionPlayer
11 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg DefClark, Glenn
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg DefCoyle, Pat
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg FwdDoyle, Colin
25 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg FwdGill, Chris
No.PositionPlayer
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg FwdStroup, Dan
32 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg FwdVeltman, Jim
29 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg GoalieWatson, Bob

Records

SeasonDivisionW-LFinishHomeRoadGFGACoachPlayoffs
1998  6-65th4-22-4165157 Les Bartley Missed playoffs
Total1 season6-6 4-22-4165157  

References

  1. 1 2 Kernaghan, John (1998-08-20). "Raiders call it quits in Hamilton". Hamilton Spectator .
  2. Milton, Steve (1998-07-07). "Hamilton's pro lacrosse is going, going...". Hamilton Spectator.
  3. Kernaghan, John (1998-07-14). "Three-way toss up for Ontario Raiders". Hamilton Spectator.
  4. Brown, Josh (1998-12-04). "Watters, Beeston, Domi, Orr bring pro lacrosse to town". Toronto Star .
  5. Stevens, Neil (1998-12-24). "Rock will test Toronto's taste for pro lacrosse". Waterloo Region Record .