As the Stealth franchise approaches its 15 year anniversary it will have a new home. The Vancouver Stealth will open the 2014 season in the Langley Event Center in Langley BC. The past few seasons the NLL has had some pre-season games in Langley, and this past season the Champions Cup was moved there as the Stealth’s arena was already booked.
The L.E.C. (home of the 2 Time WLA Champion Langley Thunder) seats about 5,200 which is not far off from the Stealth average from last season.
Doug Locker President/GM of the Stealth spoke with Marisa Ingemi (ILWT President) and spoke of the move:
It was an economic decision.We were growing at a much slower rate than we had hoped in Washington despite three Championship Game appearances. Talks began just two weeks after the Champions Cup Final states Locker, and the L.E.C. put an agreement together that really represents a great partnership with the building that we believe will give the franchise the long term stability we all wanted. Locker believes the time is right to reintroduce lacrosse to the Vancouver area. As far as a team returning to Washington? He hopes so; the sport and interest in box lacrosse are growing very rapidly in the region. We will continue our camps and junior stealth programs there because the interest is so high.
As far as off-season acquisitions, Locker stated although we are a western Canadian team, we are committed to winning championships, and would be interested in any player willing to help us accomplish that task.
The one big question is… How long will it take for the season ticket holders to get a full refund on there purchase if they wish not to renew now that the team has relocated.
There no doubt will be Stealth fans that will make the trip over the border, and the 1 hour 45 minute drive for each home game.(distance between the 2 arenas). But it may force some fans to reduce there season ticket numbers as with a 3.5 hour round trip travel, 2.5 hr game, then post game party, you are definitely looking at an overnight stay in a hotel.
Do we remember the trail of the Colorado Mammoth?
1987-99……..Baltimore Thunder
2000…………Pittsburgh Crossfire
2001-02…….Washington Power
2003-Pres….Colorado Mammoth
Can the Stealth of tomorrow be the Mammoth of today? Only time will tell. Let hope for the league it works and also hope that the sport still grows strong in Everett Washington.
The league will now have 4 Canadian team (Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver) and 5 American based teams (Philadelphia, Rochester, Buffalo, Minnesota, Colorado)
Question: What would you think of a Canadian and American Division? We would still have the crossover.
Also… All-Star Game… Canadian Div vs American Division?
History of The Vancouver Stealth:
Albany Attack——–4 seasons (2000-2003) Record 33-25. 2002 14-2 Lost in Championship Final.
San Jose Stealth—6 seasons (2004-2009) Record 45-51.
Wash. Stealth——–4 seasons (2010-2013) Record 32-32 3 Champion Cup appearances (2010,2011,2013) 2010 Champions.
