Calgary Roughnecks
Team logo
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| Division | Western |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 |
| Home arena | Scotiabank Saddledome |
| Based in | Calgary, Alberta |
| Colors | Red, Black, White |
| Head coach | Curt Malawsky |
| General manager | Mike Board |
| Owner | Calgary Sports and Entertainment |
| Local media | FAN 960 |
| Championships | 2004, 2009 |
| Division Championships | 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| PLPA representative | Kaleb Toth |
| Website | www.calgaryroughnecks.com |
The Calgary Roughnecks are a professional box lacrosse team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Western Division of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The team name is derived from the roughnecks who work drilling rigs in Alberta's oil and gas industry. The team is affectionately known by fans as the Riggers.
The Roughnecks were founded in 2001 and have qualified for the post-season every year since 2002. They have won three division championships (2005, 2009, 2011) and twice have captured the Champion's Cup as NLL champions. They won both titles on their home floor, defeating the Buffalo Bandits in 2004 and the New York Titans in 2009.
The National Lacrosse League announced on March 28, 2001, that it had awarded an expansion franchise to a group of four owners led by Brad Banister. The idea for the team was formed a year earlier during Calgary's famous Canada Day lacrosse tournament where it was suggested that professional lacrosse could work in Calgary. Within eight weeks of Banister contacting the league, Calgary was announced as the tenth franchise in the NLL at a cost of $500,000. The new team did not immediately announce its nickname, though Banister stated it would relate to the oilpatch. The name was later announced as the "Roughnecks", named after workers on an oil rig.
Kevin Melnyk was installed as the coach and general manager, but as the season approached, Banister felt that the team was in danger of not being prepared for the season, replaced Melnyk. He took over as general manager, and hired Chris Hall to be the coach. The pair sought to build a more veteran team that is typical for an expansion franchise, and traded their first draft pick, Blaine Manning, to the Toronto Rock for Calgary native Kaleb Toth, who was expected to be the team's marquee player.
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