{{Short description|Defunct Major League Lacrosse team}} {{about|the former Major League Lacrosse franchise|the defunct Tier II Junior "A" and Junior "B" ice hockey teams|Toronto Nationals (hockey)}} {{Use Canadian English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox sports team | name = Hamilton Nationals | logo = Hamilton Nationals logo.png | founded = 2009 | folded = 2013 | league = MLL | stadium = Ron Joyce Stadium (2011-2013) <br /> Lamport Stadium (2010) <br /> BMO Field (2009) | city = Hamilton, Ontario | colours = Black, orange, white, purple<br /> {{color box|black}} {{color box|#FF7518}} {{color box|#ffffff}} {{color box|#6d69b6}} | owner = Arrow Express Sports<ref name=hammove/> | coach_label = Head coach | coach = Dave Huntley | gm = Stuart Brown<ref name=hammove>{{cite web|url=http://nationalslacrosse.com/press-release/2057/nationals-announce-move-to-hamilton/ |title=Nationals Announce Move to Hamilton|date=March 5, 2009|publisher=NationalsLacrosse.com press release|access-date=2011-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307035733/http://nationalslacrosse.com/press-release/2057/nationals-announce-move-to-hamilton|archive-date=March 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> | championships = '''1''' (2009) | blank_label = PLPA representative | blank_label1 = Formerly | blank_data1 = '''Toronto Nationals'''<br />2009&ndash;2010<br /> '''Hamilton Nationals'''<br /> 2011–2013 | blank_label2 = Later | website = [http://www.nationalslacrosse.com/ nationalslacrosse.com] }} The '''Hamilton Nationals''' were a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season in Toronto, Ontario as the '''Toronto Nationals''', becoming the first-ever Canadian MLL team. In 2009, they played their home games at BMO Field, which is also home to Major League Soccer's Toronto FC<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/pressreleases/index.html?article_id=1273 |title=Major League Lacrosse: Press Releases |website=www.majorleaguelacrosse.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814011518/http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/pressreleases/index.html?article_id=1273 |archive-date=2009-08-14}}</ref> but moved to the smaller Lamport Stadium for the 2010 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lamport Stadium|work=Toronto Nationals|url=http://nationalslacrosse.com/tickets/lamport/|access-date=March 16, 2010}}</ref> On February 3, 2011, the Nationals announced that they were relocating to Hamilton, Ontario, and would play their home games at Ron Joyce Stadium on the campus of McMaster University.<ref name=hammove/> On 21 November 2013, MLL announced that the team would not participate in the 2014 season, with most of the players being transferred to the expansion Florida Launch.<ref name=MLL2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/8512/mll-places-team-in-florida/|title=MLL Places Team in Florida|date=2013-11-21|access-date=2013-11-24|publisher=Major League Lacrosse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126141032/http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/8512/mll-places-team-in-florida/|archive-date=2013-11-26|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Spec2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/4229026-hamilton-nationals-will-not-participate-in-2014-major-league-lacrosse-season/|title=Lacrosse: Nationals moving south|date=2013-11-21|access-date=2013-11-24|publisher=Hamilton Spectator|last=Cuthbert|first=Glen}}</ref>

The Hamilton Nationals' identity represented both the Canadian and Iroquois communities. The team's logo incorporated the Canadian maple leaf and the Iroquois Five Nations belt pattern taken from each respective flag. Additionally, they continuously signed Iroquois players.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nationalslacrosse.com/history/ | title=黄金城平台地址-黄金城正规大全 }}</ref>

== Franchise history == The Nationals had their roots in the MLL's charter franchise the Rochester Rattlers. Before the 2009 season, part of the Rattlers' roster was transferred to the new Nationals' team; however, the name, colors, and history stayed behind in Rochester to be potentially used by a future MLL team.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090220/SPORTS04/902200323/1007/SPORTS |title=Democrat and Chronicle |access-date=February 20, 2009 |archive-date=February 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223150242/http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090220/SPORTS04/902200323/1007/SPORTS |url-status=dead }}</ref> In November 2010, it was reported that the Chicago Machine had moved to Rochester, NY and resumed operation of the Rattlers franchise.<ref>[http://www.rochesterrattlers.com/game-highlight/1770/rattlers-returning-to-rochester Rattlers returning to Rochester]rochesterrattlers.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715194330/http://www.rochesterrattlers.com/game-highlight/1770/rattlers-returning-to-rochester |date=July 15, 2011 }}</ref>

The Nationals started play in the MLL on May 15, 2009 and won against Washington Bayhawks 17–16. They won their first home game over the Chicago Machine 15–11. The Nationals qualified for the playoffs as the second seed with a 7–5 record and the best offense in MLL with 184 goals for. The Nationals played their first playoff game against the Long Island Lizards at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. Toronto won their semi-final matchup 14–13 thanks to a strong game by Merrick Thomson scoring 4 goals. Toronto (at the time) went on to face the Denver Outlaws in the Steinfeld Cup Final. The Nationals were tied with the Outlaws 9–9 with over a minute to go in the game. Nationals head coach Dave Huntley called a time-out to draw out a strategy. With 45 seconds left to go, Joe Walters passed to Shawn Williams and Williams scored the winning goal to give the Toronto Nationals their first championship victory 10–9 over the Denver Outlaws. Merrick Thomson was named Playoff MVP and Brodie Merrill won the Major League Lacrosse Defensive player of the Year Award. In 2009 their home field was BMO Field and for 2010 at Lamport Stadium.

On February 3, 2011, the Nationals announced that they would be moving to Hamilton and would be known as the Hamilton Nationals.<ref name=hammove/> It was also announced that Arrow Express Sports would take sole ownership of the team and the team would play their home games at Ron Joyce Stadium on the campus of McMaster University

On 21 November 2013, the MLL announced that the team would not participate in the 2014 season, with most of the players being transferred to the expansion Florida Launch.<ref name=MLL2014/><ref name=Spec2014/> The team was expected to attempt to rejoin the league for the 2015 season once construction of the new Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton was completed, much like the Rochester Rattlers did for the 2011 season, but failed to do so. No information on a return has been reported.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidelacrosse.com/news/2013/11/21/florida-launch-set-2014-mll-debut-hamilton-nationals-not-competing-14|title=Florida Launch Set For 2014 MLL Debut; Hamilton Nationals Not Competing in '14|date=2013-11-21|access-date=2013-11-27|publisher=Inside Lacrosse|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203212622/http://www.insidelacrosse.com/news/2013/11/21/florida-launch-set-2014-mll-debut-hamilton-nationals-not-competing-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Season-by-season== {| class="wikitable" |+Hamilton Nationals |- ! Year !! W !! L !! % !! Regular season !! Playoffs |- |2009 || 7 || 5 || .583 || 2nd || Won semifinal 14–13 over Lizards <br /> Won championship 10–9 Over Outlaws |- |2010 || 3 || 9 || .250 || 6th || |- |2011 || 7 || 5 || .583 || 3rd || Won semifinal 11–9 over Denver Outlaws <br /> Lost championship 10–9 to Boston Cannons |- |2012 || 4 || 10 || .286 || 7th || |- |2013 || 9 || 5 || .750 || 3rd || Lost semifinal 12–13 to Chesapeake Bayhawks |- |'''Totals''' ||'''30''' ||'''34''' ||'''.469''' || || '''3 wins, 2 losses''' |}

==Head coaches==

{| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2" | # ! rowspan="2" | Name ! rowspan="2" | Term ! colspan="4" | Regular season ! colspan="4" | Playoffs |- ! GC !! W !! L !! W% !! GC !! W !! L !! W% |- |align=center| 1 || Dave Huntley ||align=center| 2009–2010 ||align=center| 24 ||align=center| 10 ||align=center| 14 ||align=center| .417 ||align=center| 2 ||align=center| 2 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| 1.000 |- |align=center| 2 || Regy Thorpe ||align=center| 2011–2012 ||align=center| 26 ||align=center| 11 ||align=center| 15 ||align=center| .423 ||align=center| 2 ||align=center| 1 ||align=center| 1 ||align=center| .500 |- |align=center| 3 || Dave Huntley ||align=center| 2013 ||align=center| 14 ||align=center| 9 ||align=center| 5 ||align=center| .643 ||align=center| 1 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| 1 ||align=center| .000 |- |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{official website|http://www.nationalslacrosse.com/}}

{{Hamilton Nationals}} {{Major League Lacrosse}}

Category:Hamilton Nationals Category:Sports clubs and teams in Hamilton, Ontario Category:2009 establishments in Ontario Category:2013 disestablishments in Ontario Category:Lacrosse clubs established in 2009 Category:Sports clubs and teams disestablished in 2013