The Vancouver Ravens were the original Vancouver National Lacrosse League (NLL) franchise from 2002 to 2004. The team played their home games at General Motors Place, now Rogers Arena, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. At the conclusion of their three-year lease at GM Place, they were unable to secure an extension with GM Place nor able to negotiate with Pacific Coliseum. Combined with a lack of attendance due to unstable ownership, on December 14, 2004, the NLL announced that the Ravens would cease operations and 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, retired Olympic Boxer and bronze medallist Dale Walters, along with Jeff Hughes, applied to return professional lacrosse back to Vancouver through the purchase and relocation of the Portland Lumberjax.
Since the folding of the Ravens franchise, the National Lacrosse League has returned to British Columbia in the form of the Vancouver Warriors, who play out of Rogers Arena in Vancouver. The franchise was formerly named the Washington Stealth and played in Everett, Washington, before relocating to Langley, BC in 2013, and then to Vancouver in 2018.
Awards and honours Year Player Award 2002 Tom Mayenknecht Executive of the Year Dave Evans GM of the Year
All time record
Season Division W-L Finish Home Road GF GA Coach Playoffs 2002 Northern 10–6 2nd 6–2 4–4 236 192 Paul Dal Monte Lost in quarterfinals 2003 Northern 9–7 3rd 5–3 4–4 208 196 Paul Dal Monte Lost in quarterfinals 2004 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 Quarterfinals Vancouver 10 Rochester 11 2003 Quarterfinals Vancouver 12 Colorado 15
References