2008 Toronto Rock season
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Rock
are a lacrosse team based in Toronto
playing in the National Lacrosse League
(NLL). The 2008 season
was the 12th in franchise history, and 11th as the Rock.
The 2008 season almost never happened. On October 16, 2007 the league released a statement officially cancelling the season, after no agreement could be reached on a new collective bargaining agreement. However, negotiations continued, and on October 25, the league announced that a new CBA has been agreed on, and that the season would proceed. The new revised schedule was released on November 2, 2007, but only included 12 of the expected 14 teams were included. The expansion Boston Blazers
and 2007
Western division champion Arizona Sting
had decided for "a number of business reasons" to opt out of the 2008 season and return in 2009. Due to the short time frame between the agreement on a new CBA and the start of the season, the New York Titans
were unable to secure 8 home dates for the revised schedule, and thus both the Toronto Rock and Buffalo Bandits
hosted a Titans home game in their own arena.
The Rock had their second consecutive sub-.500 season, finishing 7-9, and out of the playoffs for the first time since they were the Ontario Raiders
in 1998
. Despite the losing season, veteran Bob Watson
was named NLL Goaltender of the Year
.
This was captain Jim Veltman
's final season as a player; he retired after 16 seasons and joined the Rock coaching staff in 2009
.
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock is a lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Rock of the late 1990s / early 2000s has been called a dynasty, having won five NLL championships in seven years. From 1999 to 2003, the Rock appeared in an NLL-record...
are a lacrosse team based in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
playing in the National Lacrosse League
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
(NLL). The 2008 season
2008 NLL season
The 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the 22nd in the history of the NLL, began on December 29, 2007 and concluded with the Buffalo Bandits winning the championship game over the Portland LumberJax on May 17, 2008....
was the 12th in franchise history, and 11th as the Rock.
The 2008 season almost never happened. On October 16, 2007 the league released a statement officially cancelling the season, after no agreement could be reached on a new collective bargaining agreement. However, negotiations continued, and on October 25, the league announced that a new CBA has been agreed on, and that the season would proceed. The new revised schedule was released on November 2, 2007, but only included 12 of the expected 14 teams were included. The expansion Boston Blazers
Boston Blazers
The Boston Blazers were a member of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1989 to 1997. They were called the New England Blazers from 1989 to 1991 while based in Worcester, Massachusetts, and were renamed the Boston Blazers in 1992 when they moved to Boston. While in Worcester, the Blazers played...
and 2007
2007 NLL season
The Knighthawks had the overall top seed in the playoffs, but were unable to host the Championship game due to a scheduling conflict at the Blue Cross Arena.-Team Movement:...
Western division champion Arizona Sting
Arizona Sting
The Arizona Sting was a member of the National Lacrosse League from 2004 to 2007. They played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, from 2001 to 2003 as the Columbus Landsharks. On August 28, 2003, it was announced that the team was relocating to Glendale, Arizona...
had decided for "a number of business reasons" to opt out of the 2008 season and return in 2009. Due to the short time frame between the agreement on a new CBA and the start of the season, the New York Titans
New York Titans
New York Titans may refer to:*New York Titans , the former name of the National Football League's New York Jets* New York Titans , a National Lacrosse League team now known as the Orlando Titans...
were unable to secure 8 home dates for the revised schedule, and thus both the Toronto Rock and Buffalo Bandits
Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits are a team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, until the MILL turned into the NLL in 1998....
hosted a Titans home game in their own arena.
The Rock had their second consecutive sub-.500 season, finishing 7-9, and out of the playoffs for the first time since they were the Ontario Raiders
Ontario Raiders
The Ontario Raiders were a member of the National Lacrosse League during the 1998 NLL season. The Raiders played at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. After only one season in Hamilton, the franchise was moved to Toronto, becoming the Toronto Rock....
in 1998
1998 NLL season
Before the 1998 season, the Major Indoor Lacrosse League was renamed to be the National Lacrosse League, in the process increasing the length of the regular season from ten to twelve games. The first season as the NLL began on January 3, 1998 and concluded with the second championship game on April...
. Despite the losing season, veteran Bob Watson
Bob Watson (lacrosse)
Bob "Whipper" Watson is a former goaltender for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League and is regarded as one of the best goaltenders ever to play indoor lacrosse Watson won six NLL Championships with the Rock, and was named Championship Game MVP in both 2003 and 2011. Watson was named...
was named NLL Goaltender of the Year
National Lacrosse League Goaltender of the Year Award
The National Lacrosse League Goaltender of the Year Award is given annually to the best NLL goaltender of the year.In the 2008 season, the award was sponsored by the US Navy and was known as the "US Navy Goaltender of the Year award". In the 2007 season, it was the "Progressive National Lacrosse...
.
This was captain Jim Veltman
Jim Veltman
Jim "Scoop" Veltman is a former lacrosse player who played for the Toronto Rock, the Ontario Raiders, and the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League...
's final season as a player; he retired after 16 seasons and joined the Rock coaching staff in 2009
2009 NLL season
-Pre-season:* August 19, 2008: The NLL announced that the Minnesota Swarm would be moving from the East division to the West division, giving the West six teams to the East's seven....
.
Game log
Reference: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/teamschedule.html?teamid=25959&seasonid=1995| # | Date | Opponent | Location | Score | OT | Attendance | Record |
| 1 | January 5 | @ Chicago Chicago Shamrox The Chicago Shamrox were a professional lacrosse team that played in the National Lacrosse League in the 2007 and 2008 NLL seasons. Home matches were played at the Sears Centre in northwest suburban Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The team's ownership group was headed by Kevin Loughery Jr., the son of... |
Sears Centre Sears Centre The Sears Centre is an 11,000-seat multi-purpose family entertainment, cultural and sports center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a northwest suburb, 25 miles from Chicago. The arena has 43 luxury suites on two separate levels... |
W 11 - 9 | 6,116 | 1-0 | |
| 2 | January 11 | Minnesota Minnesota Swarm Minnesota Swarm is a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.... |
Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar .... |
L 17 - 16 | OT | 13,317 | 1-1 |
| 3 | January 12 | @ Minnesota Minnesota Swarm Minnesota Swarm is a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.... |
Xcel Energy Center Xcel Energy Center The Xcel Energy Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is named for its locally-based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy. With an official capacity of 18,064, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three general seating levels. The arena is owned by the... |
L 11 - 4 | 10,104 | 1-2 | |
| 4 | January 19 | @ Edmonton Edmonton Rush The Edmonton Rush is a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League that started playing in the 2006 NLL season.The NLL announced that Edmonton, Alberta, Canada would receive an NLL franchise on May 5, 2005. They play their home games at Rexall Place... |
Rexall Place Rexall Place Rexall Place is an indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada situated on the north side of Northlands. It is currently the home to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL... |
W 14 - 9 | 12,107 | 2-2 | |
| 5 | January 26 | New York | Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar .... |
W 14 - 10 | 14,142 | 3-2 | |
| 6 | February 9 | @ Rochester Rochester Knighthawks The Rochester Knighthawks are a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Knighthawks were previously members of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1995 to 1997... |
Blue Cross Arena Blue Cross Arena The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Rochester, New York. Its maximum seating capacity is 13,000... |
L 11 - 4 | 9,925 | 3-3 | |
| 7 | February 15 | Buffalo Buffalo Bandits The Buffalo Bandits are a team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, until the MILL turned into the NLL in 1998.... |
Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar .... |
W 11 - 8 | 14,611 | 4-3 | |
| 8 | March 1 | Calgary Calgary Roughnecks The Calgary Roughnecks are a professional box lacrosse team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Western Division of the National Lacrosse League and play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The team name is derived from the roughnecks who work drilling rigs in... |
Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar .... |
W 9 - 7 | 14,542 | 5-3 | |
| 9 | March 14 | New York | Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar .... |
L 14 - 10 | 14,233 | 5-4 | |
| 10 | March 21 | Edmonton Edmonton Rush The Edmonton Rush is a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League that started playing in the 2006 NLL season.The NLL announced that Edmonton, Alberta, Canada would receive an NLL franchise on May 5, 2005. They play their home games at Rexall Place... |
Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar .... |
W 14 - 9 | 14,312 | 6-4 | |
| 11 | March 22 | @ Buffalo Buffalo Bandits The Buffalo Bandits are a team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, until the MILL turned into the NLL in 1998.... |
HSBC Arena | W 13 - 9 | 15,230 | 7-4 | |
| 12 | April 5 | Rochester Rochester Knighthawks The Rochester Knighthawks are a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Knighthawks were previously members of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1995 to 1997... |
Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar .... |
L 9 - 6 | 15,422 | 7-5 | |
| 13 | April 6 | @ Philadelphia Philadelphia Wings The Philadelphia Wings are a member of the National Lacrosse League, a professional box lacrosse league in North America. They play at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.... |
Wachovia Center Wachovia Center The Wells Fargo Center is an indoor arena located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.... |
L 11 - 9 | 10,244 | 7-6 | |
| 14 | April 12 | Chicago Chicago Shamrox The Chicago Shamrox were a professional lacrosse team that played in the National Lacrosse League in the 2007 and 2008 NLL seasons. Home matches were played at the Sears Centre in northwest suburban Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The team's ownership group was headed by Kevin Loughery Jr., the son of... |
Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar .... |
L 13 - 12 | OT | 15,238 | 7-7 |
| 15 | April 19 | @ Calgary Calgary Roughnecks The Calgary Roughnecks are a professional box lacrosse team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Western Division of the National Lacrosse League and play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The team name is derived from the roughnecks who work drilling rigs in... |
Pengrowth Saddledome Pengrowth Saddledome The Scotiabank Saddledome is the primary indoor arena of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It has a seating capacity of 19,289 people.Located on the Stampede Grounds, on the east end of downtown Calgary, the Saddledome was built in 1983 to replace the Stampede Corral as the home of the Calgary Flames of... |
L 12 - 11 | OT | 11,808 | 7-8 |
| 16 | April 27 | Philadelphia Philadelphia Wings The Philadelphia Wings are a member of the National Lacrosse League, a professional box lacrosse league in North America. They play at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.... |
Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre The Air Canada Centre is a multi-purpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The arena is popularly known as the ACC or the Hangar .... |
L 15 - 14 | 15,332 | 7-9 |
Player stats
Reference: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=25959&seasonid=1995Runners (Top 10)
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; LB = Loose Balls; PIM = Penalty Minutes| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | LB | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis Ratcliff Lewis Ratcliff Lewis Ratcliff is a lacrosse player who plays for the Washington Stealth in the National Lacrosse League.-NLL career:Ratcliff was drafted 49th overall by the Calgary Roughnecks in the 2001 NLL entry draft. In 2004, the Roughnecks won the Champion's Cup, defeating the Buffalo Bandits in Buffalo... |
17 | 42 | 50 | 92 | 91 | 10 |
| Blaine Manning Blaine Manning Blaine Manning is an indoor lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League.. , Daily Gleaner-NLL career:... |
16 | 30 | 44 | 74 | 90 | 4 |
| Aaron Wilson Aaron Wilson Aaron Wilson is a lacrosse player for the Edmonton Rush in the National Lacrosse League.Wilson began his career with the Toronto Rock. After six seasons with the Rock, including a Championship in 2005, Wilson was traded to the Rochester Knighthawks... |
16 | 28 | 22 | 50 | 90 | 4 |
| Josh Sanderson Josh Sanderson Josh "Shooter" Sanderson is a lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League.... |
11 | 23 | 27 | 50 | 61 | 6 |
| Ryan Benesch Ryan Benesch Ryan Benesch is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Minnesota Swarm in the National Lacrosse League... |
14 | 19 | 31 | 50 | 71 | 38 |
| Kasey Beirnes Kasey Beirnes Kasey Beirnes is a lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League.-NLL career:Beirnes was traded from Minnesota Swarm to Toronto Rock during the 2008 draft.-Statistics:-References:... |
16 | 15 | 14 | 29 | 57 | 8 |
| Rob Marshall | 16 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 109 | 8 |
| Jim Veltman Jim Veltman Jim "Scoop" Veltman is a former lacrosse player who played for the Toronto Rock, the Ontario Raiders, and the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League... |
14 | 6 | 17 | 23 | 122 | 8 |
| Cam Woods Cam Woods Cam Woods is a lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League. Woods tied with Taylor Wray for the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004.... |
14 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 81 | 78 |
| Totals | 257 | 429 | 349 | 1114 | 36 |
Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games Played; MIN = Minutes; W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals Against; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average| Player | GP | MIN | W | L | GA | Sv% | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Watson Bob Watson (lacrosse) Bob "Whipper" Watson is a former goaltender for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League and is regarded as one of the best goaltenders ever to play indoor lacrosse Watson won six NLL Championships with the Rock, and was named Championship Game MVP in both 2003 and 2011. Watson was named... |
15 | 812:38 | 7 | 6 | 140 | .786 | 10.34 |
| Mike Poulin | 16 | 153:04 | 0 | 3 | 32 | .740 | 12.54 |
| Mike Attwood | 1 | 0:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .00 |
| Totals | 7 | 9 | 174 | .776 | 10.88 |
Awards
| Player | Award |
| Bob Watson Bob Watson (lacrosse) Bob "Whipper" Watson is a former goaltender for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League and is regarded as one of the best goaltenders ever to play indoor lacrosse Watson won six NLL Championships with the Rock, and was named Championship Game MVP in both 2003 and 2011. Watson was named... |
NLL Goaltender of the Year National Lacrosse League Goaltender of the Year Award The National Lacrosse League Goaltender of the Year Award is given annually to the best NLL goaltender of the year.In the 2008 season, the award was sponsored by the US Navy and was known as the "US Navy Goaltender of the Year award". In the 2007 season, it was the "Progressive National Lacrosse... |
| Bob Watson | First Team All-Pro |
| Jim Veltman Jim Veltman Jim "Scoop" Veltman is a former lacrosse player who played for the Toronto Rock, the Ontario Raiders, and the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League... |
All-Stars |
| Peter Lough Peter Lough Peter Lough is a lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League.-Professional career:... |
|
| Bob Watson |
Trades
| March 25, 2008 2008 NLL season The 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the 22nd in the history of the NLL, began on December 29, 2007 and concluded with the Buffalo Bandits winning the championship game over the Portland LumberJax on May 17, 2008.... |
To Toronto Rock Toronto Rock The Toronto Rock is a lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Rock of the late 1990s / early 2000s has been called a dynasty, having won five NLL championships in seven years. From 1999 to 2003, the Rock appeared in an NLL-record... Lewis Ratcliff Lewis Ratcliff Lewis Ratcliff is a lacrosse player who plays for the Washington Stealth in the National Lacrosse League.-NLL career:Ratcliff was drafted 49th overall by the Calgary Roughnecks in the 2001 NLL entry draft. In 2004, the Roughnecks won the Champion's Cup, defeating the Buffalo Bandits in Buffalo... conditional first or second round pick, 2009 entry draft |
To Calgary Roughnecks Calgary Roughnecks The Calgary Roughnecks are a professional box lacrosse team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Western Division of the National Lacrosse League and play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The team name is derived from the roughnecks who work drilling rigs in... Josh Sanderson Josh Sanderson Josh "Shooter" Sanderson is a lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League.... first round pick, 2008 entry draft |
| March 11, 2008 2008 NLL season The 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the 22nd in the history of the NLL, began on December 29, 2007 and concluded with the Buffalo Bandits winning the championship game over the Portland LumberJax on May 17, 2008.... |
To Toronto Rock Toronto Rock The Toronto Rock is a lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Rock of the late 1990s / early 2000s has been called a dynasty, having won five NLL championships in seven years. From 1999 to 2003, the Rock appeared in an NLL-record... second round pick, 2009 entry draft |
To Minnesota Swarm Minnesota Swarm Minnesota Swarm is a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.... Ian Rubel |