Vancouver Ravens
Encyclopedia
The Vancouver Ravens were a member of the National Lacrosse League (NLL)
, from 2002
to 2004
. They played their three seasons at General Motors Place (now Rogers Arena) in Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
. After the three year lease at GM Place expired, they were unable to secure a lease with either GM Place or the Pacific Coliseum
, but the main reason was lack of attendance due to unstable ownership. On December 14, 2004, the NLL announced that the Ravens would not be playing in the 2005 NLL season
.
On June 18, 2007 a bid was submitted to the NLL
for the return of the Vancouver Ravens for the 2008 season
. The bid that was submitted to the NLL
was approved on the condition that an arena lease is obtained and 2,500 season tickets are sold.
On July 16, 2007, there was confirmation that the Vancouver Ravens could play in the 2008 season at GM Place. On July 19, 2007, contrary to earlier reports, the NLL announced that the Vancouver Ravens would not play in the 2008 season.
On August 26, 2008 former Olympics boxer Dale Walters
along with Jeff Hughes
applied to revive the Ravens team.
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...
, from 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...
to 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:...
. They played their three seasons at General Motors Place (now Rogers Arena) in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. After the three year lease at GM Place expired, they were unable to secure a lease with either GM Place or the Pacific Coliseum
Pacific Coliseum
Pacific Coliseum is an indoor arena, at Hastings Park, in Vancouver, British Columbia.Completed in 1968, at the former site of the Pacific National Exhibition, the arena currently holds 16,281, for ice hockey, though capacity at its opening was 15,713....
, but the main reason was lack of attendance due to unstable ownership. On December 14, 2004, the NLL announced that the Ravens would not be playing in the 2005 NLL season
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....
.
On June 18, 2007 a bid was submitted to the NLL
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...
for the return of the Vancouver Ravens for the 2008 season
2008 NLL season
The 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the 22nd in the history of the NLL, began on December 29, 2007 and concluded with the Buffalo Bandits winning the championship game over the Portland LumberJax on May 17, 2008....
. The bid that was submitted to the NLL
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...
was approved on the condition that an arena lease is obtained and 2,500 season tickets are sold.
On July 16, 2007, there was confirmation that the Vancouver Ravens could play in the 2008 season at GM Place. On July 19, 2007, contrary to earlier reports, the NLL announced that the Vancouver Ravens would not play in the 2008 season.
On August 26, 2008 former Olympics boxer Dale Walters
Dale Walters
Dale Walters was a Canadian boxer who won a bantamweight bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.- Professional career :...
along with Jeff Hughes
Jeff Hughes
Jeff Hughes is an American traditional jazz cornet player.Hughes plays and records with several bands including The Wolverine Jazz Band, The Paramount Jazz Band, The Brahmin Bellhops and has also extensively recorded with banjoist Jimmy Mazzy.He is a widely recorded jazz musician who is known for...
applied to revive the Ravens team.
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... |
Tom Mayenknecht | 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:... |
| Dave Evans | GM of the Year National Lacrosse League GM of the Year Award The General Manager of the Year Award is given annually to the National Lacrosse League general manager who has done the best job of ensuring his team's success.-Past winners:... |
All time Record
| Season | Division | W-L | Finish | Home | Road | GF | GA | Coach | 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... |
Northern | 10-6 | 2nd | 6-2 | 4-4 | 236 | 192 | Paul Dal Monte | Lost in quarterfinals |
| 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.... |
Northern | 9-7 | 3rd | 5-3 | 4-4 | 208 | 196 | Paul Dal Monte | Lost in quarterfinals |
| 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:... |
Western | 5-11 | 5th | 3-5 | 2-6 | 188 | 213 | Paul Dal Monte | Missed playoffs |
| Total | 3 seasons | 24-24 | 14-10 | 10-14 | 632 | 601 |
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... |
Quarterfinals | Vancouver 10 | Rochester 11 |
| 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.... |
Quarterfinals | Vancouver 12 | Colorado 15 |