35 Moments: NLL Debuts in Canada

NLL Debuts in Canada – 1/3/1998

After the MILL and NLL merger an expansion team was awarded in Canada, marking the first team to be located north of the border in league history. The team would be called the Ontario Raiders (now the Toronto Rock), playing at Copps Coliseum (now FirstOntario Centre). The Raiders would lose their home opener to the Rochester Knighthawks, 14-15 and finish with a 6-6 record under legendary coach, Les Bartley. Since the Raiders debuted in the 1998 season, franchises located in Canada have won 13 out of 23 championships and now five teams in the league call Canada home (Calgary, Halifax, Saskatchewan, Toronto, Vancouver).