Albany Attack
Encyclopedia
The Albany Attack was the name of a franchise which played in the National Lacrosse League
(NLL) from the 2000
season through the 2003
season. The Attack played in the former Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York
(now known as the Times Union Center). After the 2003 season, the franchise was sold and moved to San Jose, California
and renamed the San Jose Stealth
.
Albany Attack team was the most successful Attack team during the franchise's four years in Albany, NY. It is the only Attack team to have made the NLL playoffs. (Note: The San Jose Stealth
made the NLL playoffs in their inaugural season, 2004
, as well as the 2007
and 2008
seasons.) The team went 14-2 in the regular season winning the Central Division championship, and went 15-3 overall having lost to the Toronto Rock in the 2002 NLL Champion's Cup Game in Albany.
On June 14, 2001, Albany Attack owner Herb Chorbajian, a banker with CharterOne Bank, and Albany River Rats
owner Walter Robb announced an agreement in which Robb would purchase a minority equity share in the Albany Attack. Given both teams played in the Pepsi Arena, the purpose of the agreement was to establish marketing and promotional synergy.http://www.albanyriverrats.com/news/?id=61
Despite the agreement, the Albany Attack was still not profitable so, throughout the 2002 season, Herb Chorbajian considered selling the Albany Attack. However, the success of the playoffs encouraged him to keep the team for another season. Furthermore, in the summer of 2002, the Albany Attack Pack, the Official Fan Club of the Albany Attack, was created by several fans with hopes of improving attendance.
In the 2003 season, according to Albany Attack General Manager
Michael DeRossi, season ticket sales did go up considerably over the previous season, but the marketing effort actually decreased. Furthermore, the Attack went only 2–6 in their first eight games, losing all four home games to that point. While the Attack did have a second half record of 6–2, they never recovered enough to return to the playoffs nor did they have sufficient attendance to be profitable.
, California
.
On June 9, 2003, the rumors were confirmed when an announcement was made that the Albany Attack franchise was sold and relocated to San Jose, CA http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=1852 where it was located until 2009. Mr. Chorbajian retained a share in the franchise. This may no longer be the case as the team has since been resold.
During the summer of 2003, the new owners had a "Name the Team Contest" and, on September 16, 2003, the winner, a high school sophomore from San Jose, elected to officially rename http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=1782 the team the San Jose Stealth
.
Going into the 2009 NLL season, Shaydon Santos is the last player from the Albany Attack era who is still playing for the Stealth.
On June 17, 2009, the Stealth announced it would be moving to Everett, Washington
effective immediately. The newly-renamed Washington Stealth
will play their home games at the Comcast Arena at Everett
beginning in the 2010 season
. http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=4000
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) from the 2000
2000 NLL season
-Awards:-Weekly Awards:Each week, a player is awarded "Player of the Week" honours.-Monthly Awards:Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.-Statistics Leaders:...
season through the 2003
2003 NLL season
-Awards:-Weekly Awards:The NLL gives out awards weekly for the best overall player, best offensive player, best defensive player, and best rookie.- Monthly Awards :Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie....
season. The Attack played in the former Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
(now known as the Times Union Center). After the 2003 season, the franchise was sold and moved to San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
and renamed the San Jose Stealth
San Jose Stealth
The San Jose Stealth were a member of the National Lacrosse League, the professional box lacrosse league of North America from 2004 until 2009. They played at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, which is also the home of the NHL's San Jose Sharks and the AFL's San Jose SaberCats. They relocated to San...
.
Awards & honors
| Year | Player | Award |
| 2002 2002 NLL season -All Star Game:The 2002 All-Star Game was held on April 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where the North team beat the South 14-10. The MVP was Toronto's Steve Toll, who scored three goals. At the time, this also marked Paul Gait's final professional lacrosse game, as he... |
Bob McMahon Bob McMahon Bob McMahon is a former head coach in the National Lacrosse League, and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Colorado Mammoth.Bob McMahon began his professional lacrosse coaching career as an assistant coach with the Detroit Turbos in 1992 and 1993... |
Coach of the Year Les Bartley Award The Les Bartley Award is given annually to the National Lacrosse League head coach of the year. The award was simply called the Head Coach of the Year award until 2004, when the award was renamed in honour of Les Bartley, the winningest coach in NLL history.... |
| Rob Blasdell Rob Blasdell Rob "Blazer" Blasdell is a lacrosse goaltender who plays for the Edmonton Rush in the National Lacrosse League.-Professional career:... |
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... |
|
| 2003 2003 NLL season -Awards:-Weekly Awards:The NLL gives out awards weekly for the best overall player, best offensive player, best defensive player, and best rookie.- Monthly Awards :Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.... |
Jim Moss Jim Moss Jim Moss is a lacrosse player for the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League. Moss was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2003... |
Defensive Player of the Year |
All time Record
| Season | Division | W-L | Finish | Home | Road | GF | GA | Coach | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 2000 NLL season -Awards:-Weekly Awards:Each week, a player is awarded "Player of the Week" honours.-Monthly Awards:Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.-Statistics Leaders:... |
6-6 | T-5th | 4-2 | 2-4 | 169 | 160 | Terry Sanderson | Missed playoffs | |
| 2001 2001 NLL season -Awards:-Weekly Awards:Each week, a player is awarded "Player of the Week" honours.-Monthly Awards:Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.-Statistics Leaders:... |
5-9 | 7th | 3-4 | 2-5 | 152 | 169 | Terry Sanderson | Missed playoffs | |
| 2002 2002 NLL season -All Star Game:The 2002 All-Star Game was held on April 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where the North team beat the South 14-10. The MVP was Toronto's Steve Toll, who scored three goals. At the time, this also marked Paul Gait's final professional lacrosse game, as he... |
Central | 14-2 | 1st | 7-1 | 7-1 | 250 | 194 | Bob McMahon Bob McMahon Bob McMahon is a former head coach in the National Lacrosse League, and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Colorado Mammoth.Bob McMahon began his professional lacrosse coaching career as an assistant coach with the Detroit Turbos in 1992 and 1993... |
Lost Championship |
| 2003 2003 NLL season -Awards:-Weekly Awards:The NLL gives out awards weekly for the best overall player, best offensive player, best defensive player, and best rookie.- Monthly Awards :Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.... |
Central | 8-8 | T-7th | 4-4 | 4-4 | 198 | 191 | Bob McMahon | Missed playoffs |
| Total | 4 seasons | 33-25 | 18-11 | 15-14 | 769 | 714 |
Playoff Results
| Season | Game | Visiting | Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 2002 NLL season -All Star Game:The 2002 All-Star Game was held on April 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where the North team beat the South 14-10. The MVP was Toronto's Steve Toll, who scored three goals. At the time, this also marked Paul Gait's final professional lacrosse game, as he... |
Semifinals | Rochester 10 | Albany 14 |
| Championships | Toronto 13 | Albany 12 |
2002 Highlights
The 20022002 NLL season
-All Star Game:The 2002 All-Star Game was held on April 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where the North team beat the South 14-10. The MVP was Toronto's Steve Toll, who scored three goals. At the time, this also marked Paul Gait's final professional lacrosse game, as he...
Albany Attack team was the most successful Attack team during the franchise's four years in Albany, NY. It is the only Attack team to have made the NLL playoffs. (Note: The San Jose Stealth
San Jose Stealth
The San Jose Stealth were a member of the National Lacrosse League, the professional box lacrosse league of North America from 2004 until 2009. They played at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, which is also the home of the NHL's San Jose Sharks and the AFL's San Jose SaberCats. They relocated to San...
made the NLL playoffs in their inaugural season, 2004
2004 NLL season
-All Star Game:The 2004 All-Star Game was held at the Pepsi Center in Denver on February 22, 2004. The East division defeated the West 19-15, and Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis was named game MVP.-All-Star teams:-Awards:-Weekly Awards:...
, as well as the 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:...
and 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....
seasons.) The team went 14-2 in the regular season winning the Central Division championship, and went 15-3 overall having lost to the Toronto Rock in the 2002 NLL Champion's Cup Game in Albany.
- Before the season began, Head Coach Terry Sanderson left the Albany Attack to become the Head Coach of the expansion Montréal ExpressMontreal ExpressThe Montreal Express was a member of the National Lacrosse League during the 2002 season. They played at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. They were inactive during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The team remained inactive and the franchise was returned to the NLL after the 2004 season...
. He was replaced by Bob McMahonBob McMahonBob McMahon is a former head coach in the National Lacrosse League, and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Colorado Mammoth.Bob McMahon began his professional lacrosse coaching career as an assistant coach with the Detroit Turbos in 1992 and 1993...
. - The 2002 season began in Albany on November 16, 2001. On that date, the Albany Attack defeated the expansion New Jersey StormNew Jersey StormThe New Jersey Storm were a member of the National Lacrosse League, based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. They played from 2002 to 2003. After the 2003, due to low attendance in New Jersey, the team relocated to Anaheim, California, becoming the Anaheim Storm. After the 2005 season, the Anaheim...
who were playing their first game. Storm owner and former NBA star Jayson WilliamsJayson WilliamsJayson Williams is an American former professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet, 10 inches tall, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. In 2010, he pled guilty to assault in the shooting death of a limousine driver...
was in attendance. - With a regular season record of 14–2, and overall record of 15–3, the Albany Attack established new NLL records for most regular season wins and most overall wins.
- The Attack finished first in the Central Division, one game ahead of the Rochester KnighthawksRochester KnighthawksThe 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...
who had finished with a regular season record of 13–3, the second best in the NLL that season. Ironically, those two Attack regular season losses were both to Rochester; one game in Albany and another in Rochester. - In the playoffs, the Albany Attack (the #1 seed) had a bye during the first round. They then hosted and defeated the Rochester Knighthawks (the #4 seed), 14–10, in a semifinal game with an attendance of 5074. On Saturday April 13, 2002, the Albany Attack hosted the #2 seed Toronto RockToronto RockThe 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...
for the Champion's Cup, but they lost to Toronto by a score of 13–12 in front of 9289 fans. - Head Coach Bob McMahon was named NLL Head Coach of the YearLes Bartley AwardThe Les Bartley Award is given annually to the National Lacrosse League head coach of the year. The award was simply called the Head Coach of the Year award until 2004, when the award was renamed in honour of Les Bartley, the winningest coach in NLL history....
.http://www.nll.com/article_86.shtml - Forward Josh SandersonJosh SandersonJosh "Shooter" Sanderson is a lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League....
established a new NLL record for Most Assists (68). (Update: In the 20052005 NLL seasonThe 2005 National Lacrosse League season began on January 1, 2005 and concluded with the championship game on May 14. The Toronto Rock won their fifth NLL championship, defeating the Arizona Sting 19-13 in Toronto....
season, Sanderson, then with the Toronto Rock, broke his own record and accumulated 71 assists.) - Goalie Rob Blasdell was named 2002 Goalie of the YearNational Lacrosse League Goaltender of the Year AwardThe 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...
.http://www.nll.com/article_82.shtml - Forward Josh Sanderson and Goalie Rob Blasdell were selected to the NLL All-Pro First Team.http://www.nll.com/article_81.shtml
- Five Albany Attack players were selected to play on the South Team of the 2002 NLL All-Star GameNational Lacrosse League All-Star GameNational Lacrosse League All Star Game is a lacrosse game played each year between two teams representing the two divisions of the National Lacrosse League .-1991 :...
: Rob BlasdellRob BlasdellRob "Blazer" Blasdell is a lacrosse goaltender who plays for the Edmonton Rush in the National Lacrosse League.-Professional career:...
(G, starter), Cam WoodsCam WoodsCam 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....
(D, starter), Jim MossJim MossJim Moss is a lacrosse player for the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League. Moss was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2003...
(D), Josh Sanderson (F, starter), and Gary Rosyski (F). The Head Coach of the South Team was the Albany Attack Head Coach, Bob McMahon.
Attendance problems
For various reasons, the Albany Attack were plagued by poor attendance most of their existence with average attendances in the 3000–4000 range which was not enough for the franchise to be profitable.On June 14, 2001, Albany Attack owner Herb Chorbajian, a banker with CharterOne Bank, and Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
owner Walter Robb announced an agreement in which Robb would purchase a minority equity share in the Albany Attack. Given both teams played in the Pepsi Arena, the purpose of the agreement was to establish marketing and promotional synergy.http://www.albanyriverrats.com/news/?id=61
Despite the agreement, the Albany Attack was still not profitable so, throughout the 2002 season, Herb Chorbajian considered selling the Albany Attack. However, the success of the playoffs encouraged him to keep the team for another season. Furthermore, in the summer of 2002, the Albany Attack Pack, the Official Fan Club of the Albany Attack, was created by several fans with hopes of improving attendance.
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Michael DeRossi, season ticket sales did go up considerably over the previous season, but the marketing effort actually decreased. Furthermore, the Attack went only 2–6 in their first eight games, losing all four home games to that point. While the Attack did have a second half record of 6–2, they never recovered enough to return to the playoffs nor did they have sufficient attendance to be profitable.
Move to San Jose
With no significant improvement in attendance throughout the 2003 season, the Albany Attack were destined to be a financial loss for a fourth consecutive year. During that season, there were numerous rumors that Mr. Chorbajian was going to sell the franchise, in particular to a group from San JoseSan Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
On June 9, 2003, the rumors were confirmed when an announcement was made that the Albany Attack franchise was sold and relocated to San Jose, CA http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=1852 where it was located until 2009. Mr. Chorbajian retained a share in the franchise. This may no longer be the case as the team has since been resold.
During the summer of 2003, the new owners had a "Name the Team Contest" and, on September 16, 2003, the winner, a high school sophomore from San Jose, elected to officially rename http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=1782 the team the San Jose Stealth
San Jose Stealth
The San Jose Stealth were a member of the National Lacrosse League, the professional box lacrosse league of North America from 2004 until 2009. They played at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, which is also the home of the NHL's San Jose Sharks and the AFL's San Jose SaberCats. They relocated to San...
.
Going into the 2009 NLL season, Shaydon Santos is the last player from the Albany Attack era who is still playing for the Stealth.
On June 17, 2009, the Stealth announced it would be moving to Everett, Washington
Everett, Washington
Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
effective immediately. The newly-renamed Washington Stealth
Washington Stealth
The Washington Stealth are a member of the National Lacrosse League, the professional box lacrosse league of North America. Based in Everett , the Stealth began play in the 2010 NLL season, with home games played at the 8,513-seat Comcast Arena at Everett.The team was previously known as the...
will play their home games at the Comcast Arena at Everett
Comcast Arena at Everett
Comcast Arena at Everett is a $83.3 million dollar muti-purpose complex, in Everett, Washington, designed and developed by the City of Everett Public Facilities District. The arena opened in September 2003....
beginning in the 2010 season
2010 NLL season
The 2010 National Lacrosse League season, the 24th in the history of the NLL, began on January 8, 2010 and ended with the Championship game on May 15.-Team movement:...
. http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=4000
External links
- Official Website of the National Lacrosse League and its Media Guide
- Official Site of the Washington Stealth
- Entry for National Lacrosse League at the Major League Sports Almanac (Archived 2009-10-25)
- Outsider's Guide to the National Lacrosse League
- Albany Attack page at the Outsider's Guide
- San Jose Stealth page at the Outsider's Guide
- National Lacrosse League page at OurSportsCentral.com