Ontario Raiders

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]

Ontario Raiders
DivisionEast
Based inHamilton, Ontario
ArenaCopps Coliseum
ColorsBlack, Gold, Red
ChairmanChris Fritz
Head coachLes Bartley
General managerJohn Mouradian
LaterToronto Rock

Awards and honours
YearPlayerAward
1998Colin DoyleRookie of the Year

Notable players

Team roster
No. Position Player
11 Canada Def Clark, Glenn
2 Canada Def Coyle, Pat
7 Canada Fwd Doyle, Colin
25 Canada Fwd Gill, Chris
No. Position Player
8 Canada Fwd Stroup, Dan
32 Canada Fwd Veltman, Jim
29 Canada Goalie Watson, Bob

Records
SeasonDivisionW-LFinishHomeRoadGFGACoachPlayoffs
1998 6-65th4-22-4165157Les BartleyMissed playoffs
Total1 season6-6 4-22-4165157  

References
  1. 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.
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