Toronto Rock
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Rock is a lacrosse
team in the National Lacrosse League
(NLL). 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 five straight championship games. In ten seasons, they have an 12-4 record in playoff games. The Toronto Rock also won the 2011 NLL Championship on May 15, 2011 for the record 6th time.
The Rock play their home games at the Air Canada Centre
, which they currently share with both the Toronto Maple Leafs
of the NHL and the Toronto Raptors
of the NBA
.
to begin play in the 1998 season
. They were known as the Ontario Raiders
, and played their home games at Copps Coliseum
in Hamilton during their first year. 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 Raiders finished a respectable 6-6, barely missing the playoffs.
At the conclusion of the season the team was sold to a group of investors led by Bill Watters, then the Assistant GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs
of the NHL, and relocated to Toronto
. They were subsequently renamed the "Toronto Rock", and began play at Maple Leaf Gardens
in the 1999 season
.
In 1999
, their first year in Toronto, the Rock won their first NLL Championship, defeating the Rochester Knighthawks 13-10 in Toronto. The next year
, the Rock became the first team since the 1994-95 Wings
to win back-to-back championships, once again defeating the Knighthawks. That game featured Kaleb Toth
's dramatic game-winning goal with a second left on the clock, in the last-ever professional sporting event held at Maple Leaf Gardens.
2001
saw the Rock follow the Leafs to the Air Canada Centre
, where they advanced to the championship game once again. But the visiting Philadelphia Wings
held the Rock to just eight goals, and won their sixth championship. The next season
, the Rock recovered from the championship game loss by finishing first overall for the fourth straight year. They advanced to the championship game once again, but for the first time as the visiting team. The Rock defeated the Albany Attack
in Albany 13-12. 2002 was also one of the most productive years for the Rock in terms of awards; in addition to winning the Champion's Cup
, three players were honoured by the league. Blaine Manning
was named Rookie of the Year, Pat Coyle
was named Defensive Player of the Year, and captain Jim Veltman
was given the Sportsmanship Award
.
In 2003
, Toronto advanced to the championship game for the fifth straight year, once again as the visitors. The game was held in Rochester, where Rock had never won a game, but they prevailed in the lowest-scoring championship game in NLL history, winning 8-6.
Shortly before the 2004
season began, head coach and GM Les Bartley
announced that he was fighting colon cancer, and was stepping down. Assistant coaches Ed Comeau
and Derek Keenan
were named interim coach and interim GM respectively. After a 2-4 start to the season, Comeau and Keenan were fired, and the Rock hired Terry Sanderson to try to turn the team around. The Rock went 8-2 the rest of the season, earning a first round bye after clinching the East Division regular season crown. However, the Buffalo Bandits
came to town and upset the Rock 19-10, sending the Bandits to the first NLL championship game not featuring the Rock since they joined the league. Jim Veltman was honoured by the league by being named league MVP
. This was the first year in the 10 year history of the award that it did not go to Gary Gait
, Paul Gait
, or John Tavares and the first Toronto Rock player to be named league MVP.
In 2005
, the Rock defeated the Rochester Knighthawks
in the East Division Final by a score of 12-10 in front of approximately 17,200 fans at the Air Canada Centre. The Rock went on to defeat the Arizona Sting
with a 19-13 win in front of an NLL record crowd of 19,432, becoming NLL champions for the fifth time in seven years and solidifying their distinction as an NLL dynasty. Colin Doyle
was named league MVP, the second straight year that the award was won by a Rock player.
Despite the championship, the season ended on a sad note for the Rock franchise, as Les Bartley died of cancer at the age of 51 the day after the championship game. Bartley is remembered as an exceptional coach, having led the Toronto Rock to NLL Championships in 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
In 2004
, the NLL Coach of the Year Award was renamed the Les Bartley Award
in honour of Bartley.
In 2007
, the Toronto Rock established an award also called the Les Bartley Award
, given to "the Rock player that best exemplifies Les' emphasis on the importance of character and commitment to the team". The first winner of this award was team captain Jim Veltman
.
In 2011 the Toronto Rock won the NLL championship again, beating the Washington Stealth 8-7. This victory ties them with Philadelphia for most NLL championships won, at 6.
season; however, their record balanced out to 8-8 at season's end. They made the playoffs, only to be defeated by the first place Knighthawks at Blue Cross Arena
in Rochester by a score of 16-8. Head coach and GM Terry Sanderson was fired after the season, and was replaced by new Director of Lacrosse Operations Mike Kloepfer and new head coach Glenn Clark
. Clark had played eight seasons with the Rock and had just finished an All-Star season as a member of the Philadelphia Wings
, but retired from playing to take the head coaching job with his old club.
Kloepfer made his mark on the team quickly, trading perennial All-Star, former Rookie of the Year and league MVP Colin Doyle
to the San Jose Stealth
along with Darren Halls and a draft pick for first overall draft pick Ryan Benesch
, Kevin Fines, Chad Thompson and two draft picks. Benesch had a very good rookie year, scoring 33 goals and winning the Rookie of the Year award, but the Rock under rookie coach Clark struggled to a worst-ever 6-10 record, barely making the playoffs. They lost the division semifinal against Rochester, who would go on to win their first championship since 1997.
Toronto's struggles continued in 2008
, as the Rock lost their last five games of the season. They finished below .500 for the second straight year, and for the first time since their move to Toronto in 1999, the Rock finished out of the playoffs. Despite the losing season, goaltender Bob Watson
was named Goaltender of the Year
. 2008 also featured the final season of the only captain the Rock franchise had ever had, Jim Veltman
. Veltman retired after fifteen seasons in the NLL, winning seven championships (two with the Bandits and five with the Rock). Chris Driscoll
was named the new Rock captain.
After starting the 2009 season
with a 1-2 record, the Rock relieved Clark and assistant coach Veltman and Terry Bullen of their coaching duties, and hired former Chicago and Colorado coach Jamie Batley
as the new Rock head coach. Clark and Bullen were fired, and Veltman was retained in an advisory position. The coaching change was not enough to propel the Rock back into the playoffs, however. They finished last in the East and out of the playoffs for the second straight year. Director of Lacrosse Operations Mike Kloepfer resigned shortly after the season ended.
-based businessman James Dawick. Two weeks later, former Calgary Roughnecks
head coach Troy Cordingley was named as the new coach, giving the Rock an entirely new staff from ownership on down.
Sanderson wasted no time in the rebuilding efforts, most notably re-acquiring Colin Doyle
from Washington
in exchange for Lewis Ratcliff
, Tyler Codron and Joel Dalgarno.
He also traded Luke Wiles
to Washington and Bill McGlone
to Philadelphia
, and re-acquiring former Rock defender Sandy Chapman from Rochester
. He then traded team captain Chris Driscoll
to the Buffalo Bandits
for another former Rock defender Phil Sanderson
, and acquired Mike Hominuck
from Edmonton
and Pat McCready
from Buffalo, both for draft picks.
The moves paid off immediately, as the Rock began the 2010
season 6-1 on route to a 9-7 record. This was good for second place in the East and the Rock's first playoff berth in four years. In the playoffs, the Rock defeated Buffalo and Orlando on their way to their seventh Championship game, and first since 2005
. The Washington Stealth
, in their first season in Everett, Washington
, proved too strong for the Rock and won the Championship 15-11.
In 2011, the Rock found themselves in the Championship game for the second straight year against the Washington Stealth, this time winning 8-7.
† Bullen served as head coach during Clark's suspension.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
team 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). They play at the 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 ....
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...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The Rock of the late 1990s / early 2000s has been called a dynasty
Dynasty (sports)
A sports dynasty is a team that dominates their sport or league for multiple seasons or years. Such dominance is often only realized in retrospect...
, having won five NLL championships in seven years. From 1999
1999 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:...
to 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....
, the Rock appeared in an NLL-record five straight championship games. In ten seasons, they have an 12-4 record in playoff games. The Toronto Rock also won the 2011 NLL Championship on May 15, 2011 for the record 6th time.
The Rock play their home games at the 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 ....
, which they currently share with both the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the NHL and the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
.
Ontario Raiders
The franchise was originally founded as an NLL expansion team for Hamilton, OntarioHamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
to begin play in the 1998 season
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...
. They were known as 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....
, and played their home games at Copps Coliseum
Copps Coliseum
Copps Coliseum is a sports and entertainment arena, on the corner of Bay Street North and York Boulevard, in Hamilton, Ontario. Depending on event, the Copps Coliseum has a capacity of up to 19,000.It is named after the former Hamilton mayor, Victor K...
in Hamilton during their first year. Former 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....
coach Les Bartley
Les Bartley
Les Bartley was a renowned lacrosse coach. He led the Buffalo Bandits to 3 of their 4 championships in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League , and won 4 more championships with the Toronto Rock in the renamed National Lacrosse League .-Buffalo Bandits:Bartley became the assistant coach of the Bandits...
was hired to coach the new team, and he lured former Bandit 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...
to join him, becoming the Raiders' captain. The Raiders finished a respectable 6-6, barely missing the playoffs.
At the conclusion of the season the team was sold to a group of investors led by Bill Watters, then the Assistant GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the NHL, and relocated to 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...
. They were subsequently renamed the "Toronto Rock", and began play at Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens
Maple Leaf Gardens is an indoor arena that was converted into a Loblawssupermarket and Ryerson University athletic centre in Toronto, on the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church Street in Toronto's Garden District.One of the temples of hockey, it was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the...
in the 1999 season
1999 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:...
.
Championships/Dynasty era
1999 Toronto Rock season
The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 1999 season was the 2nd in franchise history and 1st as the Rock....
, their first year in Toronto, the Rock won their first NLL Championship, defeating the Rochester Knighthawks 13-10 in Toronto. The next year
2000 Toronto Rock season
The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2000 season was the 3rd in franchise history and 2nd as the Rock....
, the Rock became the first team since the 1994-95 Wings
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....
to win back-to-back championships, once again defeating the Knighthawks. That game featured Kaleb Toth
Kaleb Toth
Kaleb Toth is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Calgary Roughnecks in the National Lacrosse League.-Professional career:...
's dramatic game-winning goal with a second left on the clock, in the last-ever professional sporting event held at Maple Leaf Gardens.
2001 Toronto Rock season
The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2001 season was the 4th in franchise history and 3rd as the Rock....
saw the Rock follow the Leafs to the 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 ....
, where they advanced to the championship game once again. But the visiting Philadelphia Wings
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....
held the Rock to just eight goals, and won their sixth championship. The next season
2002 Toronto Rock season
The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2002 season was the 5th in franchise history and 4th as the Rock....
, the Rock recovered from the championship game loss by finishing first overall for the fourth straight year. They advanced to the championship game once again, but for the first time as the visiting team. The Rock defeated the Albany Attack
Albany Attack
The Albany Attack was the name of a franchise which played in the National Lacrosse League from the 2000 season through the 2003 season. The Attack played in the former Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York...
in Albany 13-12. 2002 was also one of the most productive years for the Rock in terms of awards; in addition to winning the Champion's Cup
Champion's Cup
The Champion's Cup is the trophy awarded to the playoff winners in the National Lacrosse League.-Winners:-Most Valuable Players:-Champion's Cup appearances:Only currently active teams are listed.-All-time Champion's Cup wins:...
, three players were honoured by the league. Blaine Manning
Blaine Manning
Blaine Manning is an indoor lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League.. , Daily Gleaner-NLL career:...
was named Rookie of the Year, Pat Coyle
Pat Coyle (lacrosse)
Pat Coyle is a retired lacrosse player. In his National Lacrosse League career, Coyle played for the Detroit Turbos, the Ontario Raiders, the Toronto Rock, and the Colorado Mammoth...
was named Defensive Player of the Year, and 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...
was given the Sportsmanship Award
National Lacrosse League Sportsmanship Award
The National Lacrosse League Sportsmanship Award is given annually to a NLL player. It "honors the combination of character and performance" shown by a player.-Past winners:...
.
In 2003
2003 Toronto Rock season
The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2003 season was the 6th in franchise history and 5th as the Rock....
, Toronto advanced to the championship game for the fifth straight year, once again as the visitors. The game was held in Rochester, where Rock had never won a game, but they prevailed in the lowest-scoring championship game in NLL history, winning 8-6.
Shortly before the 2004
2004 Toronto Rock season
The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2004 season was the 7th in franchise history and 6th as the Rock....
season began, head coach and GM Les Bartley
Les Bartley
Les Bartley was a renowned lacrosse coach. He led the Buffalo Bandits to 3 of their 4 championships in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League , and won 4 more championships with the Toronto Rock in the renamed National Lacrosse League .-Buffalo Bandits:Bartley became the assistant coach of the Bandits...
announced that he was fighting colon cancer, and was stepping down. Assistant coaches Ed Comeau
Ed Comeau
Ed Comeau is the former head coach of the Orlando Titans, until they folded in 2010, of the National Lacrosse League.Comeau began his NLL coaching career with the Toronto Rock, as an assistant coach under the legendary Les Bartley...
and Derek Keenan
Derek Keenan
Derek Keenan is a former lacrosse player, and current head coach and General Manager of the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League.After a long amateur career, , and appearances with the Canadian National Field team at several...
were named interim coach and interim GM respectively. After a 2-4 start to the season, Comeau and Keenan were fired, and the Rock hired Terry Sanderson to try to turn the team around. The Rock went 8-2 the rest of the season, earning a first round bye after clinching the East Division regular season crown. However, the 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....
came to town and upset the Rock 19-10, sending the Bandits to the first NLL championship game not featuring the Rock since they joined the league. Jim Veltman was honoured by the league by being named league MVP
National Lacrosse League MVP Award
The Reebok National Lacrosse League Most Valuable Player Award is given annually to the NLL player who is considered to have contributed most to his team's success...
. This was the first year in the 10 year history of the award that it did not go to Gary Gait
Gary Gait
Gary Charles Gait is widely regarded as the best lacrosse player of all time, just above his twin brother Paul. He has starred at the NCAA level at Syracuse University, at the professional level in the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse, and at the international level for the...
, Paul Gait
Paul Gait
Paul Gait is widely regarded as one of the best lacrosse players of all time and is the current Vice President of the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League...
, or John Tavares and the first Toronto Rock player to be named league MVP.
In 2005
2005 NLL season
The 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....
, the Rock defeated the Rochester Knighthawks
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...
in the East Division Final by a score of 12-10 in front of approximately 17,200 fans at the Air Canada Centre. The Rock went on to defeat the 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...
with a 19-13 win in front of an NLL record crowd of 19,432, becoming NLL champions for the fifth time in seven years and solidifying their distinction as an NLL dynasty. 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:...
was named league MVP, the second straight year that the award was won by a Rock player.
Despite the championship, the season ended on a sad note for the Rock franchise, as Les Bartley died of cancer at the age of 51 the day after the championship game. Bartley is remembered as an exceptional coach, having led the Toronto Rock to NLL Championships in 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
In 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:...
, the NLL Coach of the Year Award was renamed the Les Bartley Award
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....
in honour of Bartley.
In 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:...
, the Toronto Rock established an award also called the Les Bartley Award
Les Bartley Award (Toronto Rock)
The Les Bartley Award is an award given annually by the Toronto Rock lacrosse team. The award was established during the 2007 season, and is named in honour of the late Les Bartley, the former GM, head coach, and vice president of the Toronto Rock during their reign as one of the top teams in the...
, given to "the Rock player that best exemplifies Les' emphasis on the importance of character and commitment to the team". The first winner of this award was team 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...
.
In 2011 the Toronto Rock won the NLL championship again, beating the Washington Stealth 8-7. This victory ties them with Philadelphia for most NLL championships won, at 6.
The Kloepfer era
From 1999 to 2005, the Rock finished either first overall or first in their division every year, winning five championships. The next few years, however, would bring the franchise back down to Earth. The Rock struggled during the early part of the 20062006 NLL season
-All-Star game:The 2006 All-Star Game was held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario on February 25, 2006. The West Division defeated the East Division 14-13. The MVP of the game was Lewis Ratcliff of the Calgary Roughnecks, who scored 4 goals, including the game winner...
season; however, their record balanced out to 8-8 at season's end. They made the playoffs, only to be defeated by the first place Knighthawks at 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...
in Rochester by a score of 16-8. Head coach and GM Terry Sanderson was fired after the season, and was replaced by new Director of Lacrosse Operations Mike Kloepfer and new head coach Glenn Clark
Glenn Clark
Glenn Clark is the former head coach of the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League, and also a former NLL player. Clark played in the NLL from 1998-2006 for both the Rock and the Philadelphia Wings. With the Rock, Clark won five NLL Championships...
. Clark had played eight seasons with the Rock and had just finished an All-Star season as a member of the Philadelphia Wings
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....
, but retired from playing to take the head coaching job with his old club.
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:...
to 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...
along with Darren Halls and a draft pick for first overall draft pick Ryan Benesch
Ryan Benesch
Ryan Benesch is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Minnesota Swarm in the National Lacrosse League...
, Kevin Fines, Chad Thompson and two draft picks. Benesch had a very good rookie year, scoring 33 goals and winning the Rookie of the Year award, but the Rock under rookie coach Clark struggled to a worst-ever 6-10 record, barely making the playoffs. They lost the division semifinal against Rochester, who would go on to win their first championship since 1997.
Toronto's struggles continued in 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....
, as the Rock lost their last five games of the season. They finished below .500 for the second straight year, and for the first time since their move to Toronto in 1999, the Rock finished out of the playoffs. Despite the losing season, goaltender 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 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...
. 2008 also featured the final season of the only captain the Rock franchise had ever had, 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...
. Veltman retired after fifteen seasons in the NLL, winning seven championships (two with the Bandits and five with the Rock). Chris Driscoll
Chris Driscoll
Chris Driscoll is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Rochester Knighthawks in the National Lacrosse League.-Professional career:...
was named the new Rock captain.
After starting the 2009 season
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....
with a 1-2 record, the Rock relieved Clark and assistant coach Veltman and Terry Bullen of their coaching duties, and hired former Chicago and Colorado coach Jamie Batley
Jamie Batley
Jamie Batley is the lacrosse coach who has coached several teams in the National Lacrosse League and the Major Series Lacrosse League. Batley is also a former player, who played with the Buffalo Bandits, Syracuse Smash, and Pittsburgh CrosseFire....
as the new Rock head coach. Clark and Bullen were fired, and Veltman was retained in an advisory position. The coaching change was not enough to propel the Rock back into the playoffs, however. They finished last in the East and out of the playoffs for the second straight year. Director of Lacrosse Operations Mike Kloepfer resigned shortly after the season ended.
Rebuilding
On June 10, 2009, the Rock announced that former GM and coach Terry Sanderson had been brought back as the new GM. Jamie Batley was also told by the Rock that he would not be returning as head coach,. At the end of the month, the league announced that the Rock had been sold to OakvilleOakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
-based businessman James Dawick. Two weeks later, former 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...
head coach Troy Cordingley was named as the new coach, giving the Rock an entirely new staff from ownership on down.
Sanderson wasted no time in the rebuilding efforts, most notably re-acquiring 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:...
from Washington
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...
in exchange for 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...
, Tyler Codron and Joel Dalgarno.
He also traded Luke Wiles
Luke Wiles
Luke Wiles is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays forward for the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League. Wiles was named to the 2006 NLL All-Rookie Team...
to Washington and Bill McGlone
Bill McGlone
Bill McGlone is a professional lacrosse player. McGlone plays for the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.-Collegiate career:3605287905...
to 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....
, and re-acquiring former Rock defender Sandy Chapman from 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...
. He then traded team captain Chris Driscoll
Chris Driscoll
Chris Driscoll is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Rochester Knighthawks in the National Lacrosse League.-Professional career:...
to the 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....
for another former Rock defender Phil Sanderson
Phil Sanderson
Phil Sanderson is a lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League and formerly of the Toronto Nationals of Major League Lacrosse...
, and acquired Mike Hominuck
Mike Hominuck
Mike Hominuck is a lacrosse player for in the National Lacrosse League. On September 7, 2011, Hominuck signed with the Philadelphia Wings. -NLL:-References:...
from 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...
and Pat McCready
Pat McCready
Pat McCready is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League.-NLL career:McCready made his professional lacrosse debut in 1996 with the Charlotte Cobras...
from Buffalo, both for draft picks.
The moves paid off immediately, as the Rock began the 2010
2010 Toronto Rock season
The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2010 season was the 14th in franchise history, and 13th as the Rock....
season 6-1 on route to a 9-7 record. This was good for second place in the East and the Rock's first playoff berth in four years. In the playoffs, the Rock defeated Buffalo and Orlando on their way to their seventh Championship game, and first since 2005
2005 NLL season
The 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....
. The 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...
, in their first season in 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...
, proved too strong for the Rock and won the Championship 15-11.
In 2011, the Rock found themselves in the Championship game for the second straight year against the Washington Stealth, this time winning 8-7.
Awards and honours
| Year | Player | Award |
| 1999 1999 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:... |
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:... |
Champion's Cup MVP |
| 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:... |
Dan Stroup Dan Stroup Dan Stroup is a coach for the Washington Stealth of the National Lacrosse League. Prior to his retirement, Stroup played for several teams over a 13-season career which included winning the Champion's Cup four times: three with the Toronto Rock, and one with the Colorado... |
Champion's Cup MVP |
| 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:... |
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... |
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... |
| 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... |
Blaine Manning Blaine Manning Blaine Manning is an indoor lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League.. , Daily Gleaner-NLL career:... |
Rookie of the Year |
| Pat Coyle Pat Coyle (lacrosse) Pat Coyle is a retired lacrosse player. In his National Lacrosse League career, Coyle played for the Detroit Turbos, the Ontario Raiders, the Toronto Rock, and the Colorado Mammoth... |
Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 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... |
Sportsmanship Award National Lacrosse League Sportsmanship Award The National Lacrosse League Sportsmanship Award is given annually to a NLL player. It "honors the combination of character and performance" shown by a player.-Past winners:... |
|
| Colin Doyle | Champion's Cup MVP | |
| 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.... |
Chris Driscoll Chris Driscoll Chris Driscoll is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Rochester Knighthawks in the National Lacrosse League.-Professional career:... |
Sportsmanship Award National Lacrosse League Sportsmanship Award The National Lacrosse League Sportsmanship Award is given annually to a NLL player. It "honors the combination of character and performance" shown by a player.-Past winners:... |
| Bob Watson | Champion's Cup MVP | |
| 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:... |
Jim Veltman | Most Valuable Player National Lacrosse League MVP Award The Reebok National Lacrosse League Most Valuable Player Award is given annually to the NLL player who is considered to have contributed most to his team's success... |
| 2005 2005 NLL season The 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.... |
Colin Doyle | Most Valuable Player National Lacrosse League MVP Award The Reebok National Lacrosse League Most Valuable Player Award is given annually to the NLL player who is considered to have contributed most to his team's success... |
| Les Bartley Les Bartley Les Bartley was a renowned lacrosse coach. He led the Buffalo Bandits to 3 of their 4 championships in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League , and won 4 more championships with the Toronto Rock in the renamed National Lacrosse League .-Buffalo Bandits:Bartley became the assistant coach of the Bandits... |
Executive of the Year National Lacrosse League Executive of the Year Award The Executive of the Year Award is given annually to the National Lacrosse League executive who is chosen as having the most positive impact on his or her team.-Past winners:... |
|
| Colin Doyle | Champion's Cup MVP | |
| 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:... |
Ryan Benesch Ryan Benesch Ryan Benesch is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Minnesota Swarm in the National Lacrosse League... |
Rookie of the Year |
| 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.... |
Bob Watson | 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... |
| 2010 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:... |
Stephan Leblanc Stephan Leblanc Stephan Leblanc is a lacrosse player for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League.Leblanc was chosen by the Rock in the third round of the 2010 NLL entry draft, and joined the team along with fellow draft choice Garrett Billings in the 2010 season... |
Rookie of the Year |
| 2011 2011 NLL season The 2011 National Lacrosse League season, the 25th in the history of the NLL, began January 8, 2011 and ended with the Championship game, won by the Toronto Rock 8-7.-Team movement:... |
Bob Watson | Champion's Cup MVP |
All-time record
| Season | Division | W | L | Finish | Home | Road | GF | GA | Coach | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 1999 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 1999 season was the 2nd in franchise history and 1st as the Rock.... |
9 | 3 | 1st | 6-0 | 3-3 | 157 | 139 | Les Bartley Les Bartley Les Bartley was a renowned lacrosse coach. He led the Buffalo Bandits to 3 of their 4 championships in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League , and won 4 more championships with the Toronto Rock in the renamed National Lacrosse League .-Buffalo Bandits:Bartley became the assistant coach of the Bandits... |
Won Championship | |
| 2000 2000 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2000 season was the 3rd in franchise history and 2nd as the Rock.... |
9 | 3 | 1st | 5-1 | 4-2 | 162 | 130 | Les Bartley | Won Championship | |
| 2001 2001 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2001 season was the 4th in franchise history and 3rd as the Rock.... |
11 | 3 | 1st | 6-1 | 5-2 | 168 | 125 | Les Bartley | Lost Championship | |
| 2002 2002 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2002 season was the 5th in franchise history and 4th as the Rock.... |
Northern | 11 | 5 | 1st | 8-0 | 3-5 | 223 | 176 | Les Bartley | Won Championship |
| 2003 2003 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2003 season was the 6th in franchise history and 5th as the Rock.... |
Northern | 11 | 5 | 1st | 6-2 | 5-3 | 195 | 164 | Les Bartley | Won Championship |
| 2004 2004 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2004 season was the 7th in franchise history and 6th as the Rock.... |
Eastern | 10 | 6 | 1st | 5-3 | 5-3 | 202 | 176 | Ed Comeau (interim), Terry Sanderson |
Lost in Division Finals |
| 2005 2005 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2005 season was the 8th in franchise history and 7th as the Rock.... |
Eastern | 12 | 4 | 1st | 6-2 | 6-2 | 227 | 190 | Terry Sanderson | Won Championship |
| 2006 2006 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2006 season was the 9th in franchise history, and 8th as the Rock... |
Eastern | 8 | 8 | 3rd | 5-3 | 3-5 | 182 | 179 | Terry Sanderson | Lost in Division Semifinals |
| 2007 2007 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto, Ontario playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2007 season was the franchise's 11th season, and its 10th season as the Toronto Rock.... |
Eastern | 6 | 10 | 4th | 3-5 | 3-5 | 187 | 183 | Glenn Clark Glenn Clark Glenn Clark is the former head coach of the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League, and also a former NLL player. Clark played in the NLL from 1998-2006 for both the Rock and the Philadelphia Wings. With the Rock, Clark won five NLL Championships... |
Lost in Division Semifinals |
| 2008 2008 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2008 season was the 12th in franchise history, and 11th as the Rock.... |
Eastern | 7 | 9 | 6th | 4-5 | 3-4 | 172 | 174 | Glenn Clark | Missed playoffs |
| 2009 2009 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2009 season was the 13th in franchise history, and 12th as the Rock.... |
Eastern | 6 | 10 | 6th | 3-5 | 3-5 | 194 | 218 | Glenn Clark Jamie Batley Jamie Batley Jamie Batley is the lacrosse coach who has coached several teams in the National Lacrosse League and the Major Series Lacrosse League. Batley is also a former player, who played with the Buffalo Bandits, Syracuse Smash, and Pittsburgh CrosseFire.... |
Missed playoffs |
| 2010 2010 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2010 season was the 14th in franchise history, and 13th as the Rock.... |
Eastern | 9 | 7 | 2nd | 6-2 | 3-5 | 197 | 156 | Troy Cordingley | Lost Championship |
| 2011 2011 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2011 season was the 15th in franchise history, and 14th as the Rock. The Rock won the championship on May 15 defeating the Washington Stealth 8-7. They tied the NLL record with their 6th... |
Eastern | 10 | 6 | 2nd | 7-1 | 3-5 | 187 | 168 | Troy Cordingley | Won Championship |
| Total | 13 seasons | 119 | 79 | 70-30 | 49-49 | 2,453 | 2,178 | |||
| Playoff Totals | 16 | 5 | 12-3 | 4-2 | 244 | 223 |
Playoff results
| Season | Game | Visiting | Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 1999 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 1999 season was the 2nd in franchise history and 1st as the Rock.... |
Semifinals | Philadelphia 2 | Toronto 13 |
| Championship | Rochester 10 | Toronto 13 | |
| 2000 2000 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2000 season was the 3rd in franchise history and 2nd as the Rock.... |
Semifinals | Philadelphia 10 | Toronto 14 |
| Championship | Rochester 13 | Toronto 14 | |
| 2001 2001 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2001 season was the 4th in franchise history and 3rd as the Rock.... |
Semifinals | Washington 9 | Toronto 10 |
| Championship | Philadelphia 9 | Toronto 8 | |
| 2002 2002 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2002 season was the 5th in franchise history and 4th as the Rock.... |
Semifinals | Washington 11 | Toronto 12 |
| Championship | Toronto 13 | Albany 12 | |
| 2003 2003 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2003 season was the 6th in franchise history and 5th as the Rock.... |
Semifinals | Colorado 11 | Toronto 15 |
| Championship | Toronto 8 | Rochester 6 | |
| 2004 2004 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2004 season was the 7th in franchise history and 6th as the Rock.... |
Division Final | Buffalo 19 | Toronto 10 |
| 2005 2005 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2005 season was the 8th in franchise history and 7th as the Rock.... |
Division Final | Rochester 10 | Toronto 12 |
| Championship | Arizona 13 | Toronto 19 | |
| 2006 2006 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2006 season was the 9th in franchise history, and 8th as the Rock... |
Division Semifinals | Toronto 8 | Rochester 16 |
| 2007 2007 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto, Ontario playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2007 season was the franchise's 11th season, and its 10th season as the Toronto Rock.... |
Division Semifinals | Toronto 6 | Rochester 10 |
| 2010 2010 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2010 season was the 14th in franchise history, and 13th as the Rock.... |
Division Semifinal | Buffalo 11 | Toronto 13 |
| Division Final | Toronto 15 | Orlando 10 | |
| Championship | Toronto 11 | Washington 15 | |
| 2011 2011 Toronto Rock season The Toronto Rock are a lacrosse team based in Toronto playing in the National Lacrosse League . The 2011 season was the 15th in franchise history, and 14th as the Rock. The Rock won the championship on May 15 defeating the Washington Stealth 8-7. They tied the NLL record with their 6th... |
Division Semifinal | Rochester 8 | Toronto 10 |
| Division Final | Toronto 12 | Buffalo 11 | |
| Championship | Washington 7 | Toronto 8 |
Head coaching history
| # | Name | Term | Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GC | W | L | W% | GC | W | L | W% | |||
| 1 | Les Bartley Les Bartley Les Bartley was a renowned lacrosse coach. He led the Buffalo Bandits to 3 of their 4 championships in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League , and won 4 more championships with the Toronto Rock in the renamed National Lacrosse League .-Buffalo Bandits:Bartley became the assistant coach of the Bandits... |
1999 1999 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:... —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.... |
70 | 51 | 19 | .729 | 10 | 9 | 1 | .900 |
| 2 | Ed Comeau Ed Comeau Ed Comeau is the former head coach of the Orlando Titans, until they folded in 2010, of the National Lacrosse League.Comeau began his NLL coaching career with the Toronto Rock, as an assistant coach under the legendary Les Bartley... |
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:... |
6 | 2 | 4 | .333 | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | Terry Sanderson | 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:... —2006 2006 NLL season -All-Star game:The 2006 All-Star Game was held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario on February 25, 2006. The West Division defeated the East Division 14-13. The MVP of the game was Lewis Ratcliff of the Calgary Roughnecks, who scored 4 goals, including the game winner... |
42 | 28 | 14 | .667 | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 |
| 4 | Glenn Clark Glenn Clark Glenn Clark is the former head coach of the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League, and also a former NLL player. Clark played in the NLL from 1998-2006 for both the Rock and the Philadelphia Wings. With the Rock, Clark won five NLL Championships... |
2007 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.... —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.... |
31 | 12 | 19 | .387 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| 5 | Terry Bullen † | 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.... |
4 | 2 | 2 | .500 | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | Jamie Batley Jamie Batley Jamie Batley is the lacrosse coach who has coached several teams in the National Lacrosse League and the Major Series Lacrosse League. Batley is also a former player, who played with the Buffalo Bandits, Syracuse Smash, and Pittsburgh CrosseFire.... |
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.... |
13 | 5 | 8 | .385 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 7 | Troy Cordingley | 2010 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:... — |
32 | 19 | 13 | .594 | 6 | 5 | 1 | .833 |
† Bullen served as head coach during Clark's suspension.