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TORONTO ROCK RE-SIGN BOB WATSON

Toronto Rock head coach Troy Cordingley often refers to him as the best money goaltender in the NLL and the good news for the Toronto Rock is there has been another deposit made in the bank for the 2011 season.
 
On Thursday, Five-time NLL Champion’s Cup winner Bob Watson agreed to a one-year contract with the Rock pending league approval.
 
Affectionately known as “Whipper”, Watson recently took on a new job becoming an officer with the Waterloo Regional Police Service.
 
“Once Bob knew he was able to commit 100% to playing by sorting out the issues with his new job we were able to come to an agreement,” said an excited Rock GM Terry Sanderson.
 
“He’s a security blanket back there for his teammates,” explains Sanderson.  “You want to have confidence in the guy in net behind you and Bob gives that confidence to his teammates.”
 
Watson, a 14-year veteran, is one of the most decorated netminders in NLL history and has been the number one goalie in Toronto since day one of the franchise.
 
“I’m excited to get things done and build off of last year’s success,” said Watson.  “After a couple of lean years in Toronto, this is an exciting and fun group to be around.”  
 
Not only does the 40-year old have five NLL championship rings in his trophy case, he also has two Goaltender of the Year Awards (2001 and 2008) and one Champion’s Cup Game MVP (2003) to his credit.
 
Watson helped the Rock lower their team goals against by 62 in 2010.  That’s an average of 3.9 goals per game less than in 2009.
 
Another sign that Watson isn’t slowing down is he surrendered a new franchise low of 3 goals against in a game against archrival Rochester on January 23, 2010.
 
Watson advanced to the Champion’s Cup Final for the seventh time in his career with the Rock this past season.  
 
“To get that close last year and not finish it off makes you want another shot,” says Watson. “Right now, it’s one year at a time with my career and I want to finish off what we started building again last year.”
 
“We’re in a better position to win a championship than if he wasn’t there, and the reason we’re here is to win a championship,” says an emphatic Sanderson.
 
Watson also cited the support of his family and a number of teammates that helped him make things work and bring him back for another season.
 
“Colin Doyle and I have been roommates for a long time and he sent me a text message saying he’s not ready to find a new roomie yet,” joked Watson.  “It’s nice to have the support and know you’re wanted.”
 
Watson also mentioned his two children have been pretty excited since getting the news that their father was going to be back between the pipes this season.  They have been working on some extra special lacrosse artwork at school that will be proudly displayed on the refrigerator door in the Watson kitchen.
 
Bob Watson and the Toronto Rock open their 2011 season at Air Canada Centre on Saturday, January 8 at 7:00pm against the Edmonton Rush.

Toronto Rock