The Rochester Rattlers were a men's field lacrosse team based in Rochester, New York. They were a charter member of Major League Lacrosse. 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 remains in Rochester so that they may be used for a future MLL team in Rochester.
[edit] Franchise history
In 2001 and 2002 the team played home games at Frontier Field. They played at Bishop Kearney Field from 2003 to 2005, and moved into the new Rochester Rhinos Stadium (then known as 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.[1] The Rattlers' staff and roster was transferred to the new Toronto franchise, named the Toronto Nationals;[2][3] however, the Rattlers' history, team colors, and name will remain in Rochester so that they may be used for a future MLL team in Rochester.[4]
[edit] Season-by-season
| Rochester Rattlers |
| Year | W | L | Regular season finish | Playoffs |
| 2001 | 8 | 6 | 2nd in National Division | Lost semifinal 13-12 to Lizards |
| 2002 | 6 | 8 | 3rd in National Division | --- |
| 2003 | 5 | 7 | 3rd in National Division | --- |
| 2004 | 7 | 5 | 1st in National Division | Lost semifinal 18-17 (OT) to Barrage |
| 2005 | 6 | 6 | 2nd in National Division | Lost semifinal 20-13 to Bayhawks |
| 2006 | 5 | 7 | 5th in Eastern Conference | --- |
| 2007 | 9 | 3 | 2nd in Eastern Conference | Lost semifinal 15-14 to Riptide |
| 2008 | 9 | 3 | 1st in Eastern Conference | Won semifinal 16-15 (OT) over Barrage
Won championship 16-6 over Outlaws |
| Totals | 55 | 45 | Regular Season Win % = .550 | Total Playoff Record 2 - 4
Playoff Win % = .333 |
[edit] Roster
| 2007 Rochester Rattlers |
| Number | Player's Name | Nationality | Position | Date of Birth | Height | Weight |
| 1 | Joe Walters |  | A | 11/30/1984 | 6 ft 0 in | 192 lb |
| 2 | Chris Schiller | | 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 |  | M | 6/8/1980 | 6 ft 0 in | 213 lb |
| 9 | Gavin Prout | | 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 | | 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 | | 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 | | 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 | | A/M | 2/18/1976 | 6 ft 1 in | 195 lb |
| 23 | Stephen Hoar | | 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 | | M | 9/8/1984 | 6 ft 0 in | 185 lb |
| 77 | Colin Doyle | | A | 9/8/1977 | 6 ft 3 in | 215 lb |
[edit] Coaches and others
- Guy Van Arsdale 2001–2003
- B.J. O'Hara 2004–2008
[edit] References
- ^ Robin De Wind (February 19, 2009). "Rochester Rattlers rights sold to Toronto, Curt Styres to be part owner". News 10 NBC. http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S795871.shtml?cat=572. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
- ^ David Naylor (February 10, 2009). "Investors finishing deal to move pro field lacrosse team to Toronto". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090210.LACROSSE10/TPStory/Sports. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
- ^ Jecoliah Ellis (February 11, 2009). "Amerks Owner in Group Looking to Buy Rattlers, Move Them to Toronto". RochesterHomepage.net (WROC and WUHF). http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=68362. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
- ^ Sal Maiorana (February 20, 2009). "Rochester Rattlers players find new MLL home in Toronto". Democrat and Chronicle. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090220/SPORTS04/902200323/1007/SPORTS. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
