Hamilton Nationals

The Hamilton Nationals were a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season in Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian team in MLL history. In 2009, they played their home games at BMO Field, which is also home to Major League Soccer's Toronto FC[2] but moved to the smaller Lamport Stadium for the 2010 season.[3] On February 3, 2011, the Nationals announced that they were relocating to Hamilton, Ontario, and would play their home games at Ron Joyce Stadium on the campus of McMaster University.[1] On 21 November 2013, MLL announced that the team would not participate in the 2014 season, with most of the players being transferred to the expansion Florida Launch.[4][5]

Hamilton Nationals
Founded2009
Folded2013
LeagueMLL
Based inHamilton, Ontario
StadiumRon Joyce Stadium (2011-2013)
Lamport Stadium (2010)
BMO Field (2009)
ColoursBlack, orange, white, purple
                   
OwnerArrow Express Sports[1]
Head coachDave Huntley
General managerStuart Brown[1]
Championships1 (2009)
FormerlyToronto Nationals
20092010
Hamilton Nationals
2011–2013
Websitenationalslacrosse.com

The Hamilton Nationals' identity represented both the Canadian and Iroquois communities. The team's logo incorporated the Canadian maple leaf and the Iroquois Five Nations belt pattern taken from each respective flag. Additionally, they continuously signed Iroquois players.[6]

Franchise history

The Nationals had their roots in the MLL's charter franchise the Rochester Rattlers. Before the 2009 season, part of the Rattlers' roster was transferred to the new Nationals' team; however, the name, colors, and history stayed behind in Rochester to be potentially used by a future MLL team.[7] In November 2010, it was reported that the Chicago Machine had moved to Rochester, NY and resumed operation of the Rattlers franchise.[8]

The Nationals started play in the MLL on May 15, 2009 and won against Washington Bayhawks 17–16. They won their first home game over the Chicago Machine 15–11. The Nationals qualified for the playoffs as the second seed with a 7–5 record and the best offense in MLL with 184 goals for. The Nationals played their first playoff game against the Long Island Lizards at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. Toronto won their semi-final matchup 14–13 thanks to a strong game by Merrick Thomson scoring 4 goals. Toronto (at the time) went on to face the Denver Outlaws in the Steinfeld Cup Final. The Nationals were tied with the Outlaws 9–9 with over a minute to go in the game. Nationals head coach Dave Huntley called a time-out to draw out a strategy. With 45 seconds left to go, Joe Walters passed to Shawn Williams and Williams scored the winning goal to give the Toronto Nationals their first championship victory 10–9 over the Denver Outlaws. Merrick Thomson was named Playoff MVP and Brodie Merrill won the Major League Lacrosse Defensive player of the Year Award. In 2009 their home field was BMO Field and for 2010 at Lamport Stadium.

On February 3, 2011, the Nationals announced that they would be moving to Hamilton and would be known as the Hamilton Nationals.[1] It was also announced that Arrow Express Sports would take sole ownership of the team and the team would play their home games at Ron Joyce Stadium on the campus of McMaster University

On 21 November 2013, the MLL announced that the team would not participate in the 2014 season, with most of the players being transferred to the expansion Florida Launch.[4][5] The team was expected to attempt to rejoin the league for the 2015 season once construction of the new Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton was completed, much like the Rochester Rattlers did for the 2011 season, but failed to do so. No information on a return has been reported.[9]

Season-by-season

Hamilton Nationals
YearWL%Regular season finishPlayoffs
200975.5832nd in LeagueWon semifinal 14–13 over Lizards
Won championship 10–9 Over Outlaws
201039.2506th in League---
201175.5833rd in LeagueWon semifinal 11–9 over Denver Outlaws
Lost championship 10–9 to Boston Cannons
2012410.2867th in League---
201395.7503rd in LeagueLost semifinal 12–13 to Chesapeake Bayhawks
Totals3034.469Total Playoff Record 3 – 2
Playoff Win % = .600

All-Time Head Coaches

# Name Term Regular Season Playoffs
GC W L W% GC W L W%
1Dave Huntley2009–2010241014.4172201.000
2Regy Thorpe2011–2012261115.423211.500
3Dave Huntley20131495.643101.000

2013 roster

2013 Hamilton Nationals
Number Player's Name Nationality Position Height Weight College
1Joe WaltersMidfield6 ft 0 in190 lbMaryland
5Joe ResetaritsAttack6 ft 0 in190 lbAlbany
8Kyle RubischDefense6 ft 3 in210 lbDowling
11Roman Lao-GosneyMidfield6 ft 1 in200 lbLehigh
13Garrett BillingsAttack6 ft 0 in195 lbVirginia
14Cameron Lao-GosneyMidfield6 ft 0 in190 lbLehigh
16Michael KiekebeltDefense6 ft 3 in205 lbRIT
17Brodie MerrillDefense6 ft 4 in205 lbGeorgetown
19Matt DolenteMidfield5 ft 7 in165 lbJohns Hopkins
20Jordan HallMidfield6 ft 0 in190 lbDelaware
21Kevin CrowleyMidfield6 ft 4 in200 lbStony Brook
22Cody JamiesonAttack5 ft 9 in205 lbSyracuse
23Brett QueenerGoalie5 ft 10 in180 lbAlbany
24Tyler BrownAttack5 ft 4 in197 lbSyracuse
28Stephen KeoghAttack5 ft 10 in188 lbSyracuse
33Solomon BlissDefense6 ft 3 in215 lbSyracuse
34Martin CahillAttack6 ft 0 in200 lbDelaware
40Matt LovejoyDefense5 ft 11 in200 lbVirginia
48Roy LangMidfield6 ft 3 in203 lbCornell
51Tucker DurkinDefense6 ft 2 in210 lbJohns Hopkins
74Jeremy ThompsonMidfield5 ft 11 in195 lbSyracuse
80Donny MossDefense6 ft 2 in200 lbAdelphi
81Dana WilburDefense6 ft 0 in190 lbDrexel
91Shelton HillAttack5 ft 11 in169 lbAlbany
92Brice QueenerMidfield5 ft 8 in200 lbGeorgetown
95Layne SmithAttack5 ft 9 in166 lbSyracuse
97Cecil MontureAttack5 ft 11 in238 lbAlbany
  • updated 2013-04-20

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.