Rochester Rattlers
Encyclopedia
The Rochester Rattlers are a Major League Lacrosse
(MLL) professional men's field lacrosse
team based in Rochester, New York
. They are a charter member of the MLL. From their inaugural season in 2001 to 2005, they were in the National Division. From 2006 to 2008, they were a member of the Eastern Conference.
After the 2008 season, the team was dissolved. The Rattlers' staff and roster was transferred to the new Toronto Nationals
franchise; however, the history, colors, and name of the Rattlers franchise remained in Rochester so that they could be used for a future MLL team. On November 23, 2010, the Chicago Machine
officially announced they would move to Rochester and resume play in 2011 under the Rochester Rattlers name.
. They played at Bishop Kearney Field from 2003 to 2005, and moved into the new PAETEC Park
in 2006. The Rattlers made the playoffs in 2001 and 2005 as a wildcard. They were the National Division champions in 2004. On June 16, 2007, the Rochester Rattlers won a 27–26 (in overtime) game over the Denver Outlaws
in the highest scoring game in MLL history at INVESCO Field at Mile High
.
In 2008, the Rattlers won their first and only MLL championship
by defeating the Philadelphia Barrage
16–15 in overtime in the semifinals and the Denver Outlaws 16–6 in the championship game.
After the 2008 season, the team was dissolved and the rights to the team were sold to a Toronto, Ontario-based group on February 19, 2009. The Rattlers' staff and roster was transferred to the new Toronto franchise, named the Toronto Nationals
; however, the Rattlers' history, team colors, and name remained in Rochester, thus allowing the Chicago Machine to be re-branded as the Rochester Rattlers in time for the 2011 season.
Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
(MLL) professional men's field lacrosse
Field lacrosse
Field lacrosse, sometimes referred to as the "fastest sport on two feet," is a full contact outdoor men's sport played with ten players on each team. The sport originated among Native Americans, and the modern rules of field lacrosse were initially codified by Canadian William George Beers in 1867....
team based in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. They are a charter member of the MLL. From their inaugural season in 2001 to 2005, they were in the National Division. From 2006 to 2008, they were a member of the Eastern Conference.
After the 2008 season, the team was dissolved. The Rattlers' staff and roster was transferred to the new Toronto Nationals
Toronto Nationals
The Hamilton Nationals are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season from Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian team in MLL history...
franchise; however, the history, colors, and name of the Rattlers franchise remained in Rochester so that they could be used for a future MLL team. On November 23, 2010, the Chicago Machine
Chicago Machine
The Chicago Machine is a mens field lacrosse team that plays in Major League Lacrosse that was based in Chicago, Illinois until the franchise left after the 2009 season to be a travel team in 2010. The team then transferred its roster to the reborn Rochester Rattlers on November 23, 2010 when it...
officially announced they would move to Rochester and resume play in 2011 under the Rochester Rattlers name.
Franchise history
In 2001 and 2002 the team played home games at Frontier FieldFrontier Field
Frontier Field is a baseball stadium located at One Morrie Silver Way in downtown Rochester, New York. The park opened in 1996, replacing Silver Stadium in northern Rochester, which had been home to professional baseball in Rochester since 1929...
. They played at Bishop Kearney Field from 2003 to 2005, and moved into the new PAETEC Park
PAETEC Park
Sahlen's Stadium, formerly PAETEC Park and Marina Auto Stadium, is a soccer-specific stadium in Rochester, New York, USA. It is home to the Rochester Rhinos soccer team of the USL Pro league and the Western New York Flash of Women's Professional Soccer. It is also home of the Major League Lacrosse ...
in 2006. The Rattlers made the playoffs in 2001 and 2005 as a wildcard. They were the National Division champions in 2004. On June 16, 2007, the Rochester Rattlers won a 27–26 (in overtime) game over the Denver Outlaws
Denver Outlaws
The Denver Outlaws are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado. They began playing in the MLL in 2006 as an expansion team. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Western Conference. With the MLL contraction in the 2009 season from 10 to 6 teams The...
in the highest scoring game in MLL history at INVESCO Field at Mile High
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, previously known as Invesco Field at Mile High, and commonly known as Mile High, is a multi-purpose stadium, in Denver, Colorado. It replaced the identically sized, but commercially obsolete Mile High Stadium in 2001...
.
In 2008, the Rattlers won their first and only MLL championship
Steinfeld Cup
The Steinfeld Cup is the trophy given annually to the winners ofthe New Balance Major League Lacrosse Championship. It is named after MLL founder Jake Steinfeld...
by defeating the Philadelphia Barrage
Philadelphia Barrage
The Philadelphia Barrage were a Men's Field Lacrosse team that was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from the 2004 season until the 2008 season when they became a traveling team. Since the 2001 season, they have played in Major League Lacrosse. They started playing in the American Division, but...
16–15 in overtime in the semifinals and the Denver Outlaws 16–6 in the championship game.
After the 2008 season, the team was dissolved and the rights to the team were sold to a Toronto, Ontario-based group on February 19, 2009. The Rattlers' staff and roster was transferred to the new Toronto franchise, named the Toronto Nationals
Toronto Nationals
The Hamilton Nationals are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season from Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian team in MLL history...
; however, the Rattlers' history, team colors, and name remained in Rochester, thus allowing the Chicago Machine to be re-branded as the Rochester Rattlers in time for the 2011 season.
Season-by-season
| Rochester Rattlers | ||||
| Year | W | L | Regular season finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 2001 MLL season The 2001 Major League Lacrosse season was the 1st season of the league. The season began on June 7 and concluded with the championship game on September 3, 2001.-General information:... |
8 | 6 | 2nd in National Division | Lost semifinal 13-12 to Lizards Long Island Lizards The Long Island Lizards are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hempstead, New York, USA, located on Long Island. They are original members of the MLL and lost in the league's inaugural game on June 7, 2001 to the Baltimore Bayhawks , 16-13... |
| 2002 2002 MLL season 2002 Major League Lacrosse season was the 2nd season of the league. The season began on June 6 and concluded with the championship game on September 1, 2002.-General information:Baltimore moved its home games to Ravens Stadium... |
6 | 8 | 3rd in National Division | --- |
| 2003 2003 MLL season 2003 Major League Lacrosse season was the 3rd season of the league. The season began on May 31 and concluded with the championship game on August 24, 2003.-General information:Schedule was reduced from 14 to 12 games.... |
5 | 7 | 3rd in National Division | --- |
| 2004 2004 MLL season 2004 Major League Lacrosse season was the 4th season of the league. The season began on May 22 and concluded with the championship game on August 22, 2004.-General information:... |
7 | 5 | 1st in National Division | Lost semifinal 18-17 (OT) to Barrage Philadelphia Barrage The Philadelphia Barrage were a Men's Field Lacrosse team that was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from the 2004 season until the 2008 season when they became a traveling team. Since the 2001 season, they have played in Major League Lacrosse. They started playing in the American Division, but... |
| 2005 2005 MLL season 2005 Major League Lacrosse season was the 5th season of the league. The season began on May 20 and concluded with the championship game on August 21, 2005... |
6 | 6 | 2nd in National Division | Lost semifinal 20-13 to Bayhawks Baltimore Bayhawks The Chesapeake Bayhawks are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Annapolis, Maryland. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the National Division and from 2006 to 2008, they were in the... |
| 2006 2006 MLL season 2006 Major League Lacrosse season was the 6th season of the league. The season began on May 20 and concluded with the championship game on August 27, 2006.-General information:... |
5 | 7 | 5th in Eastern Conference | --- |
| 2007 2007 MLL season 2007 Major League Lacrosse season was the 7th season of the league. The season began on May 12 and concluded with the championship game on August 26, 2007.-General information:... |
9 | 3 | 2nd in Eastern Conference | Lost semifinal 15-14 to Riptide Los Angeles Riptide The Los Angeles Riptide were a lacrosse team based in Carson, California. From 2006 to 2008, they played in Major League Lacrosse. They ceased operations before the 2009 season due to the economic situation in the United States.-Franchise history:... |
| 2008 2008 MLL season The 2008 Major League Lacrosse season was the 8th season of the league. The season began on May 17, 2008 and concluded with the championship game on August 24, 2008.-Pre-season:... |
9 | 3 | 1st in Eastern Conference | Won semifinal 16-15 (OT) over Barrage Won championship 16-6 over Outlaws Denver Outlaws The Denver Outlaws are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado. They began playing in the MLL in 2006 as an expansion team. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Western Conference. With the MLL contraction in the 2009 season from 10 to 6 teams The... |
| 2009 2009 MLL season The 2009 Major League Lacrosse season was the 9th season of the league. The season began on May 15, 2009 and concluded with the championship game on August 23, 2009.-Rule changes:... |
DNP | |||
| 2010 2010 MLL season The 2010 Major League Lacrosse season was the 10th season of the league. The season began on May 15, 2010 and concluded with the championship game on August 22, 2010.-Team movement:... |
DNP | |||
| 2011 2011 MLL season The 2011 Major League Lacrosse season was the 11th season of the league. The season began on May 14, 2011 and concluded with the championship game on August 28, 2011.-Team movement:... |
--- | |||
| Totals | 55 | 45 | Regular Season Win % = .550 | Total Playoff Record 2 - 4 Playoff Win % = .333 |
- 2001 Rochester Rattlers season
- 2002 Rochester Rattlers season
- 2003 Rochester Rattlers season
- 2004 Rochester Rattlers season
- 2005 Rochester Rattlers season
- 2006 Rochester Rattlers season
- 2007 Rochester Rattlers season
- 2008 Rochester Rattlers season
- 2011 Rochester Rattlers season
Roster
| 2007 Rochester Rattlers | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Player's Name | Nationality | Position | Date of Birth | Height | Weight |
| 1 | Joe Walters Joe Walters Joe Walters is a professional lacrosse player for the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League and the Toronto Nationals in the Major League Lacrosse.-Collegiate:... |
 |
A | 11/30/1984 | 6 ft 0 in | 192 lb |
| 2 | Chris Schiller Chris Schiller Chris Schiller is a lacrosse player for the Rochester Knighthawks in the National Lacrosse League. In 2006, he was named the team's Unsung Hero. Schiller also plays for the Toronto Nationals of Major League Lacrosse .Schiller works as an Endoscopic Account Specialist for Johnson & Johnson... |
|
M | 1/18/1977 | 6 ft 1 in | 190 lb |
| 6 | Peter Milliman | |
A | 5/2/1978 | 5 ft 10 in | 190 lb |
| 7 | Pat Dutton | |
M | 4/20/1977 | 6 ft 0 in | 190 lb |
| 8 | A.J. Shannon A.J. Shannon A.J. Shannon is a Canadian lacrosse player for the Philadelphia Wings in the National Lacrosse League, and the Boston Cannons of the Major League Lacrosse.-College career:... |
 |
M | 6/8/1980 | 6 ft 0 in | 213 lb |
| 9 | Gavin Prout Gavin Prout Gavin Prout is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Colorado Mammoth in the National Lacrosse League, and formerly of the Hamilton Nationals in Major League Lacrosse... |
|
M | 3/13/1978 | 5 ft 10 in | 185 lb |
| 10 | Mike Levin | |
G | 8/16/1982 | 5 ft 10 in | 185 lb |
| 11 | Alex Smith Alex Smith (lacrosse) Alexander Frederick Smith, was born in the city of Timonium, Maryland, August 8, 1984, to Dr. Frederick G. Smith and Dr. Vanessa K. Smith, and is the oldest of three sons. He most notably known for his skills on the lacrosse field, as a faceoff specialist, at the University of Delaware, and now... |
|
M | 8/8/1984 | 5 ft 11 in | 185 lb |
| 16 | Joe Smith | |
D | 7/28/1980 | 6 ft 1 in | 206 lb |
| 17 | Brodie Merrill Brodie Merrill Brodie Merrill is a Canadian lacrosse player. He currently plays in the National Lacrosse League for the Philadelphia Wings and Major League Lacrosse for the Hamilton Nationals.-High school career:... |
|
D | 11/5/1981 | 6 ft 4 in | 205 lb |
| 18 | Jack Reid | |
D | 3/6/1984 | 6 ft 3 in | 220 lb |
| 20 | Jeff Zywicki Jeff Zywicki Jeff Zywicki is a professional lacrosse player from Ottawa, Ontario. He is currently a member of the Washington Stealth of the National Lacrosse League and the Toronto Nationals of the Major League Lacrosse... |
|
A | 4/8/1981 | 5 ft 9 in | 195 lb |
| 21 | Tim Flanagan | |
G | 5/26/1980 | 5 ft 11 in | 235 lb |
| 22 | Casey Powell Casey Powell Casey Powell is a lacrosse player in the United States. He was the captain of the US national team in the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship. He currently plays indoor lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League for the Rochester Knighthawks. He also plays Major League Lacrosse for the Hamilton... |
|
A/M | 2/18/1976 | 6 ft 1 in | 195 lb |
| 23 | Stephen Hoar Stephen Hoar Stephen Hoar is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League and formerly of the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse.-Professional career:... |
|
D | 5/26/1982 | 6 ft 2 in | 215 lb |
| 24 | John Grant | |
A | 11/7/1974 | 6 ft 2 in | 220 lb |
| 25 | Scott Ditzell | |
D | 3/27/1983 | 6 ft 2 in | 210 lb |
| 28 | Jake Plunket | |
M | 7/22/1982 | 6 ft 0 in | 195 lb |
| 32 | Greg Gurenlian | |
M | 3/23/1984 | 6 ft 0 in | 193 lb |
| 33 | Solomon Bliss | |
D | 8/1/1979 | 6 ft 3 in | 218 lb |
| 42 | Chad Amidon | |
M | 04/06/1985 | 5 ft 9 in | 190 lb |
| 44 | Jordan Hall Jordan Hall (lacrosse) Jordan Rhys Hall is a Canadian lacrosse player from Surrey, British Columbia who plays for the Rochester Knighthawks in the National Lacrosse League and the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse.-College career:... |
|
M | 9/8/1984 | 6 ft 0 in | 185 lb |
| 77 | Colin Doyle Colin Doyle (lacrosse) Colin "Popeye" Doyle is a lacrosse player an captain for the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League and the Toronto Nationals of Major League Lacrosse.-NLL career:... |
|
A | 9/8/1977 | 6 ft 3 in | 215 lb |
Coaches and others
- Guy Van Arsdale 2001–2003
- B.J. O'Hara 2004–2008, 2011
- Tim Soudan 2011-present