Player Spotlight


Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard.

In the Player Spotlight this week is Jim Veltman of the Toronto Rock.

Veltman Looks To Coaching

Just when the opposition thinks they might see the last of Jim Veltman five or six years down the road, this wily veteran says he plans to continue his outstanding career behind the bench. For sure, he has the necessary credentials even at this juncture.

For starters there are pro lacrosse world championship rings from his days with the Buffalo Bandits, 1992-93-96, plus All-Pro team honors in each of the five years he has played in the winter circuit.

Veltman, from Brampton Ontario, was a natural choice when the Ontario Raiders made him their first pick in the 1998 National Lacrosse League expansion draft.

His is a game of dogged checking and passing. At times his relentless pursuit of the ball enhances his reputation as a premier ball hawk. Witness the NLL record he set last season as loose ball recovery leader. He had 194 recoveries while his closest rival, Matt Ogelsby of the defending champion Philadelphia Wings had but 94!

Veltman also led the NLL in assists with 40 and scored seven goals, three on the power play. His 47 points gave him a share of 12th place on the scoring list.

PLPA correspondent Bruce Huff caught up with the Toronto Rock captain and he had this to say in the Player Spotlight:

Question Does the Rock compare in any way to the old Bandit teams?
Answer Not really. We (Rock) are a team of contrasts. We've got a lot of size and speed. The Bandits were a team with amazing stick skills. Guys like Tavares, Cordingley, Alexander, Keenan and the Kilgours. We won a lot of games because of our sticks.


Question Is the Baltimore Thunder the team to beat in 1999?
Answer They sure looked strong against us (the Rock lost their opening game on Jan 9th 21-10 with Gary Gait, last year's scoring champ, bagging 10 goals and four assists). Young Chris Sanderson is playing well in goal and that was supposed to be their weak spot.


Question Who is the toughest player with all-around ability you've had to face?
Answer I'd say Darris Kilgour of the Bandits. He's a right-hand shot and I'm a left. He reads the offence so well. I like to pass a lot and he's always picking off mine.


Question What NLL goalie gives you the most trouble?
Answer There are a lot of good goalies but I'd have to pick Dallas Eliuk (Philadelphia). He's a crafty veteran who makes the right moves most of the time.


Question Is there a particular person who influenced your career?
Answer Yes, it's Dave Wilfong who was my coach when I played for the Coquitlam Adanacs in the Western Lacrosse Association (1988-89-91). Dave is from Brampton and lived one street over from us when we were growing up. Dave had an impact on my approach to the game especially in a strategic sense. He didn't accept the little things that go into losing. He taught me to be prepared. Since then, I've paid attention to my coaches and started critiquing them with thought that maybe I'll be one (coach) some day.


Question Would you consider coaching when your playing days are over?
Answer For sure. I've been trying to weasel my way in for some time. I make suggestions as much as they let me. I would take something from all the good coaches I've played for and merge their ideas with my own thoughts. I'd like to carve my own way.


Question How long do you think you'll continue playing?
Answer : I know I've got a lot of good years left (he will be 33 on March 8) but sometimes I hear those young feet behind me. Plus, it seems like it's lacrosse year round what with playing for Brampton (Ontario Major) from May to Sept. and then the NLL winter season. I could use a break.


Question You've won three Mann Cup rings as Canadian major champions. Will you return to the Excelsiors this season?
Answer Yeah, I'll be back. We've got to defend the Cup. It looks like we'll be playing out of a new Brampton Sports Centre. That's where we beat Coquitlam for the Mann Cup last year. It's a really nice facility and I think the fans liked it.


Question You took time out from lacrosse in 1977 (to do outreach teaching in Uganda). Are there projects in sight?
Answer Well, I've had a resurgence in my teaching career and I want to improve in that direction. I'm teaching grade 10 science and grade 11 chemistry but I'm hoping for a phys ed position. (He currently teaches at Agincourt Collegiate in Scarborough). And, my wife (Teresa) and I are expecting our first child soon, March 25 to be exact. That should bring a lifestyle change (chuckle, chuckle)


Question How will the Rock fare this season?
Answer Never has a team had so much media attention. Sportsnet has keyed the interest by televising all Rock home games at Maple Leaf Gardens plus three road matches. An ownership consortium with names such as Bill Watters, Bobby Orr, Darryl Sittler, Don Cherry, Brendan Shanahan, Tie Domi provides solid financial backing. Everything is in place. All we need to do is win some games. I really believe we can be near the top of the pack in this league. We will show the fans we can be successfull.


PLPA Correspondent

Bruce Huff's "Off The Cuff" column is a fixture in Canadian lacrosse covering all facets of the game from the pros through amateurs - NLL, MILL, World Championships, Mann Cup, Minto Cup - and he's loved every minute.

Huff's columns appear in the Toronto Star, the London Free Press and the Ontario Sport Times. His 47 year journalistic career includes stops as editor-columnist with the Toronto Sun, the London Free Press and the Chatham Daily News. He has also appeared on TV and radio.

Huff is former member of the Ontario Lacrosse Association board of directors and lives in London as a freelance writer. The PLPA is pleased to have him on board.