Riptide Lacrosse Operations
Jim Veltman was announced as the second general manager in franchise history on July 10, 2020.
Arguably the best defenseman in National Lacrosse League history, Veltman was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame in 2009 following a 16-year career that saw him win eight championships. He began his career in 1992 with the Buffalo Bandits when the league was the MILL, winning three titles with the club and was also a member of the only undefeated season in MILL/NLL history in 1993. Veltman was selected first overall in the NLL expansion draft in 1998 by the Ontario Reign, which would become the Toronto Rock in 1999. With the Rock, Veltman served as captain for 10 seasons and led the team to Champions Cups in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005.
Veltman retired at the end of the 2008 season, wrapping up a career filled with both personal and team accolades. In addition to his eight titles, Veltman was the inaugural recipient of the NLL Sportsmanship Award in 2002 and added a league MVP to his resume in 2004. He led the league in loose balls in 14 of his 16 seasons and still holds the Bandits record for loose balls in a game with 29 in addition to the NLL playoff record in that category. He is second in career loose balls, just surpassed earlier this year by Brodie Merrill, and holds the single-season NLL record with 226 set in 2006. In 2003, he served as the captain of Team Canada’s gold medal winning team at the inaugural FIL World Indoor Championships.
Named an assistant for the Ajax-Pickering Rock just two weeks after retirement, Veltman also saw action behind the bench for the Rock as assistant under Glenn Clark for the 2009 season. He served as the head coach of the Czech Republic team at the 2011 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships before spending two seasons, 2016 and 2017, behind the bench with Clark again in the NLL, this time as the defensive coordinator with the New England Black Wolves.
Arguably the best defenseman in National Lacrosse League history, Veltman was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame in 2009 following a 16-year career that saw him win eight championships. He began his career in 1992 with the Buffalo Bandits when the league was the MILL, winning three titles with the club and was also a member of the only undefeated season in MILL/NLL history in 1993. Veltman was selected first overall in the NLL expansion draft in 1998 by the Ontario Reign, which would become the Toronto Rock in 1999. With the Rock, Veltman served as captain for 10 seasons and led the team to Champions Cups in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005.
Veltman retired at the end of the 2008 season, wrapping up a career filled with both personal and team accolades. In addition to his eight titles, Veltman was the inaugural recipient of the NLL Sportsmanship Award in 2002 and added a league MVP to his resume in 2004. He led the league in loose balls in 14 of his 16 seasons and still holds the Bandits record for loose balls in a game with 29 in addition to the NLL playoff record in that category. He is second in career loose balls, just surpassed earlier this year by Brodie Merrill, and holds the single-season NLL record with 226 set in 2006. In 2003, he served as the captain of Team Canada’s gold medal winning team at the inaugural FIL World Indoor Championships.
Named an assistant for the Ajax-Pickering Rock just two weeks after retirement, Veltman also saw action behind the bench for the Rock as assistant under Glenn Clark for the 2009 season. He served as the head coach of the Czech Republic team at the 2011 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships before spending two seasons, 2016 and 2017, behind the bench with Clark again in the NLL, this time as the defensive coordinator with the New England Black Wolves.
Dan Ladouceur was named the second head coach in franchise history on July 10, 2020.
Ladouceur joins the Riptide after spending the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator with the Georgia Swarm. In his first season behind the bench in Georgia, the Swarm set a new NLL record for the most goals scored with 266 and captured the Champions Cup. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native spent 11 seasons in the NLL with the Toronto Rock as a defenseman, 10 of which he was teammates with Riptide General Manager Jim Veltman.
The six-foot-six Ladouceur captured five Champions Cups while a member of the Rock and wrapped up his career with 16 points and 232 loose balls as well as 428 penalty minutes. His penalty minute total is the second-most in Rock team history. Following his playing career, Ladouceur spent five seasons behind the bench for the Rock, serving as the defensive coordinator, and helped lead the team to the Champions Cup appearance in 2015. In addition to his coaching duties, Ladouceur also serves as a sergeant for the Toronto Police Service in Ontario.
Ladouceur joins the Riptide after spending the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator with the Georgia Swarm. In his first season behind the bench in Georgia, the Swarm set a new NLL record for the most goals scored with 266 and captured the Champions Cup. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native spent 11 seasons in the NLL with the Toronto Rock as a defenseman, 10 of which he was teammates with Riptide General Manager Jim Veltman.
The six-foot-six Ladouceur captured five Champions Cups while a member of the Rock and wrapped up his career with 16 points and 232 loose balls as well as 428 penalty minutes. His penalty minute total is the second-most in Rock team history. Following his playing career, Ladouceur spent five seasons behind the bench for the Rock, serving as the defensive coordinator, and helped lead the team to the Champions Cup appearance in 2015. In addition to his coaching duties, Ladouceur also serves as a sergeant for the Toronto Police Service in Ontario.
Jason Crosbie was named the Riptide offensive coordinator on July 28, 2020.
Crosbie, selected 24th overall in the 1998 NLL draft by the Ontario Raiders, spent 11 seasons in the league. He wrapped up his career with 397 points on 142 goals and 255 assists in 134 games and was an All-Star reserve in 2009. He also won three Mann Cup titles during his Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) career. Crosbie began his coaching career in 2003 with the Clarington Green Gaels and won two Founder’s Cups behind the bench with them. He then moved to Ontario Series Lacrosse with the Merchants Lacrosse Club and spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach in MSL with the Brooklin Redmen. Crosbie has also been the offensive coordinator of the Israeli men’s indoor team since 2015, which placed fourth in that years FIL World Indoor Championships and fifth in the 2019 edition. In 2017, Israel captured a gold medal at the ELF European Box Lacrosse Championships.
Crosbie, selected 24th overall in the 1998 NLL draft by the Ontario Raiders, spent 11 seasons in the league. He wrapped up his career with 397 points on 142 goals and 255 assists in 134 games and was an All-Star reserve in 2009. He also won three Mann Cup titles during his Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) career. Crosbie began his coaching career in 2003 with the Clarington Green Gaels and won two Founder’s Cups behind the bench with them. He then moved to Ontario Series Lacrosse with the Merchants Lacrosse Club and spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach in MSL with the Brooklin Redmen. Crosbie has also been the offensive coordinator of the Israeli men’s indoor team since 2015, which placed fourth in that years FIL World Indoor Championships and fifth in the 2019 edition. In 2017, Israel captured a gold medal at the ELF European Box Lacrosse Championships.
Pat Jones was named the Riptide defensive coordinator on July 28, 2020.
Jones spent nine seasons in the NLL, seeing action in 102 games. In his career he had two goals and 33 assists for 35 points while also recording 60 penalty minutes and 449 loose ball pickups. At the face-off dot, he went 1247-of-2556, winning 48.8% of his attempts. Jones assisted Ladouceur during the Pee Wee National Box Lacrosse Championships and he has also coached in the Oshawa Minor Lacrosse Association.
Jones spent nine seasons in the NLL, seeing action in 102 games. In his career he had two goals and 33 assists for 35 points while also recording 60 penalty minutes and 449 loose ball pickups. At the face-off dot, he went 1247-of-2556, winning 48.8% of his attempts. Jones assisted Ladouceur during the Pee Wee National Box Lacrosse Championships and he has also coached in the Oshawa Minor Lacrosse Association.
Joel Johnson was named the franchise's Director of Scouting on August 17, 2020.
Johnson brings over 17 years of coaching experience at a variety of levels to the role. Currently the head coach of the Oakville Buzz in the OJALL, he has also spent time behind the bench with the Green Gaels of the OJBLL and the Whitby Warriors in the OJALL. In 2015 and 2016 he won Coach of the Year honors with the Brooklin Merchants Senior B team that were Ontario Champions both years following 11 seasons working in the Whitby Minor Lacrosse system with provincial champion teams from peewee to midget. As a player, he won two Founders Cups with the Green Gaels in OJBLL and also played MSL for the Brooklin Redmen and Senior B for the Ajax-Pickering Rock and the Brooklin Merchants.
Johnson brings over 17 years of coaching experience at a variety of levels to the role. Currently the head coach of the Oakville Buzz in the OJALL, he has also spent time behind the bench with the Green Gaels of the OJBLL and the Whitby Warriors in the OJALL. In 2015 and 2016 he won Coach of the Year honors with the Brooklin Merchants Senior B team that were Ontario Champions both years following 11 seasons working in the Whitby Minor Lacrosse system with provincial champion teams from peewee to midget. As a player, he won two Founders Cups with the Green Gaels in OJBLL and also played MSL for the Brooklin Redmen and Senior B for the Ajax-Pickering Rock and the Brooklin Merchants.
John Veltman was named the franchise's Video Coordinator on August 17, 2020.
Veltman captured three Mann Cups (1992, 1993, 1998) during his 12-year Major Series Lacrosse career with the Brampton Excelsiors. He won multiple best defenseman awards during his career, adding to the one he earned while playing Junior A in Brampton as well. John Veltman played one year in the NLL for the Ottawa Rebel and two seasons with the Ajax-Pickering Rock in Senior B.
Veltman captured three Mann Cups (1992, 1993, 1998) during his 12-year Major Series Lacrosse career with the Brampton Excelsiors. He won multiple best defenseman awards during his career, adding to the one he earned while playing Junior A in Brampton as well. John Veltman played one year in the NLL for the Ottawa Rebel and two seasons with the Ajax-Pickering Rock in Senior B.
Jim Dasberg was named the Riptide's Eastern Scout on August 17, 2020.
A coach with the Whitby Warriors in the OJALL since 2009, Dasberg has over 20 years of coaching experience across a variety of levels in both box and field lacrosse. Throughout his career, he has won numerous Ontario championships behind the bench as well as national championships with Team Ontario. On the floor, he spent three seasons with the Brooklin Redmen in MSL.
A coach with the Whitby Warriors in the OJALL since 2009, Dasberg has over 20 years of coaching experience across a variety of levels in both box and field lacrosse. Throughout his career, he has won numerous Ontario championships behind the bench as well as national championships with Team Ontario. On the floor, he spent three seasons with the Brooklin Redmen in MSL.
Jon Nicholson was named the Riptide's Western Scout on August 17, 2020.
Nicholson is currently an assistant coach with the Nanaimo Timbermen Senior A team in the WLA. Prior to joining the Senior A team behind the bench, he was the Governor and General Manager of the Junior A Timbermen in the BCJALL, earning Executive of the Year Honors in 2014. As a player, Nicholson was a member of the Coquitlam Adanacs in BCJALL and spent three seasons with the Senior A Timbermen as well. He also represented Team Finland in the 2012 European Lacrosse Championships.
Nicholson is currently an assistant coach with the Nanaimo Timbermen Senior A team in the WLA. Prior to joining the Senior A team behind the bench, he was the Governor and General Manager of the Junior A Timbermen in the BCJALL, earning Executive of the Year Honors in 2014. As a player, Nicholson was a member of the Coquitlam Adanacs in BCJALL and spent three seasons with the Senior A Timbermen as well. He also represented Team Finland in the 2012 European Lacrosse Championships.
Andy Towers was named the franchise's American Scout on August 31, 2020.
Towers brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the role, most recently as the head coach of the Chaos in the Premier Lacrosse League. Following the 2019 season, he was named the PLL Coach of the Year as voted on by the players and coaches. He spent 19 years coaching at the Division I level, most recently at Dartmouth College. Prior to Dartmouth, Towers had stops at Hartford, Fairfield, Yale and Brown.
A member of the Connecticut Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Brown University Sports Hall of Fame, Towers had an illustrious playing career at Brown and as a professional prior to joining the coaching ranks. A three-time All-American at two different positions – two at midfield and one at attack – he was also a three-time All-Ivy and All-New England honoree and earned Ivy League Player of the Year honors in 1993. Towers still holds the Brown record for goals in a season with 59 and in a career with 150. Following his college career, he spent five seasons indoors in the National Lacrosse league with the Philadelphia Wings, Boston Blazers and New York Saints and two outdoors in Major League Lacrosse with the Boston Cannons and Bridgeport Barrage. In 2002, he was an MLL All-Star and led the league in face-off percentage at 58%.
Towers brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the role, most recently as the head coach of the Chaos in the Premier Lacrosse League. Following the 2019 season, he was named the PLL Coach of the Year as voted on by the players and coaches. He spent 19 years coaching at the Division I level, most recently at Dartmouth College. Prior to Dartmouth, Towers had stops at Hartford, Fairfield, Yale and Brown.
A member of the Connecticut Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Brown University Sports Hall of Fame, Towers had an illustrious playing career at Brown and as a professional prior to joining the coaching ranks. A three-time All-American at two different positions – two at midfield and one at attack – he was also a three-time All-Ivy and All-New England honoree and earned Ivy League Player of the Year honors in 1993. Towers still holds the Brown record for goals in a season with 59 and in a career with 150. Following his college career, he spent five seasons indoors in the National Lacrosse league with the Philadelphia Wings, Boston Blazers and New York Saints and two outdoors in Major League Lacrosse with the Boston Cannons and Bridgeport Barrage. In 2002, he was an MLL All-Star and led the league in face-off percentage at 58%.
Nick May was named the Riptide's Equipment Manager on August 18, 2020.
May joins the organization after spending eight years with the Buffalo Bandits.
May interned with the Bandits in their operations department in 2012 before joining the equipment staff as an assistant equipment manager in 2013. A graduate of Columbia Southern University, he assisted in the operation of the Jr. Bandits since their inception in 2014 and also served as a coaches assistant with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in 2015.
May joins the organization after spending eight years with the Buffalo Bandits.
May interned with the Bandits in their operations department in 2012 before joining the equipment staff as an assistant equipment manager in 2013. A graduate of Columbia Southern University, he assisted in the operation of the Jr. Bandits since their inception in 2014 and also served as a coaches assistant with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in 2015.