Lacrosse will keep Gardens hopping after leafs leave

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While growing up in Six Nations, Ont., Kim Squire yearned for the opportunity to attend a National Hockey League game in one of Canada's most famous buildings - Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, but his wish was never fulfilled. And it's doubtful it ever will now that the NHL's Maple Leafs have just a few matches remaining before they move into their new home, the Air Canada Centre, in mid-February. Though the Maple Leafs are departing the Gardens following a 68-year stay, Squire will be among those who will soon have the pleasure of calling the famed rink his home away from home. Squire is a member of the Toronto Rock, the National Lacrosse League franchise which will play out of the Gardens in 1999. Though new to Toronto, the Rock is actually a second-year organization. Last season the squad played its home contests out of Hamilton's Copps Coliseum and was known as the Ontario Raiders.

The Raiders posted a respectable six and six mark in 1998 and tied for fourth spot in the seven-team NLL. But the club lost out on a tie-breaking formula and didn't qualify for the playoff schedule. Squire, who at 18 is the youngest member of the Rock, also toiled for the Raiders last season. The only other Native player on the Toronto roster is Squire's 25-year-old brother Rodd. He too was a member of the Raiders.

Kim Squire said he's excited about everything surrounding the Gardens' atmosphere.

"I'm looking forward to the whole part," he said. "Everybody in the country knows about Maple Leaf Gardens. It's going to be fun getting ready for the game and playing the game. And I'm sure the post-game parties will be fun, too."

The Rock will play its first regular season game on Jan. 9, on the road against the Baltimore Thunder. Toronto's home opener is scheduled for Jan. 22 versus the Buffalo Bandits. The seven-team NLL also includes the New York Saints, Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks and Syracuse Smash. All squads will play 12 regular season matches. And for the first time a league all-star tilt will be staged, Feb. 20 in Rochester. Though the league is well received in other centres, the Raiders had difficulties drawing fans to Hamilton last year. The club averaged less than 5,000 fans per game at the 17,000-plus seat Copps Coliseum. Kim Squire believes one of the main reasons more fans didn't come out was the cost of tickets. Spectators had to fork out more than $20 for the least-expensive seats.

But this season in Toronto, the most expensive seat is $20 per game. And a person 18 years old and under can purchase a ticket for $10.

"I'm hoping everyone will support it this year," Kim Squire said.

The Toronto franchise was previously owned by a Kansas City group. It was bought and moved from Hamilton to Toronto during the off-season by a group of investors headed by Bill Watters, who in his position of assistant to the president of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is Ken Dryden's right-hand man.

The Rock ownership group also includes some other NHL personalities who prefer to remain anonymous. But those who have publicly confirmed their co-ownership include Hall of Famer Bobby Orr and current Maple Leafs' forward Tie Domi.

The Rock will feature the same coaching-management team it had last season. Johnny Mouradian will serve as the club' general manager, Les Bartley is the head coach and Ed Comeau is the assistant coach.

"We plan to come out of the gate hard and fast," Bartley said. "We have a big, strong and aggressive team and plan to do some damage around the league."