Humble Superstar - Bob Watson – 2021 Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee
A native of Guelph, Ontario - Bob Watson is considered one of the very best goalies of his era. Known for his stellar play and clutch goaltending. Clearly, he was successful - winning 9 championships.
In addition, Bob Watson had individual success winning awards for his consistently reliable goaltending. He was known for mentoring team-mates who admired his cool and calm nature and considered him a humble Superstar.
When informed he was part of the Class of 2021 for induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Bob Watson responded - "I always played the sport of lacrosse for the love of the game, the thrill of competition and to feel part of a team. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to be selected to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame! It is truly an honour and a privilege to be recognized with some of the game’s greatest players".
Bob Watson guarded the net four seasons (1987-1990) for the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves of the OLA Junior “B” loop winning two Founders Cup – one in 1987 and again in 1988. His final year of Junior lacrosse in 1991, Watson played at the Junior “A” for Kitchener.
After a successful career at the Junior level, Bob Watson went on to play 13 seasons of OLA Major Series lacrosse winning one Mann Cup with the Brampton Excelsiors in 2002. In addition, he was a two-time winner of the Harry Lumley Award for least goals against in 2000 and 2002. He also played 2 seasons in the OLA Senior “B” League with the Wellington Aces.
Many lacrosse fans know Bob Watson for his tremendous success while playing 15 seasons in the National Lacrosse League winning six NLL Champions Cup with the Toronto Rock in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011. In 2003 and 2011, Watson was voted Most Valuable Player in the NLL Champions Cup. During the 2001 and 2008 season, he was selected as the NLL Goalie of the Year.
Bob Watson’s NLL career culminated in 2011 when he was inducted into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame
When at his best - which was almost always - Bob Watson was considered one of the very best goalies in lacrosse. He was usually the reason the teams he played with, won. Known as a top-notch caliber goaltender who was simply a pleasure to watch play. His calm and cool demeanor was one of the reasons he was immensely successful.
Similar to many of lacrosse greatest stars, upon retirement as a player -,Bob Watson gave back to the game coaching at the minor lacrosse league level.
One can simply conclude - Bob Watson had a lengthy and successful career as one of the top goaltenders of his era, playing with and against some of the greatest players in the history of the game. He achieved immense success winning team championships and individual awards His accomplishments speak for themselves – worthy of induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Player category.
(Rad Joseph is a lacrosse addict who writes about lacrosse. He compiled this profile on Bob Watson)