Bob Watson-Player Series

Bob Watson

multi hall of Fame Goaltender

Written by Rad Joseph

Born in Guelph, Ontario - Bob “Whipper” Watson is considered one of the very best goalies of his era. He started playing minor lacrosse in Guelph at the age of four and volunteered to be the goaltender the very first time he played lacrosse. Of interest, the nickname of “Whipper” was passed down from his father. Bob’s father had been tagged as “Whipper Watson” by his work mates as a tribute to the professional Canadian wrestler “Whipper Billy Watson”.

Known for stellar play and clutch goaltending throughout his career, Bob Watson constantly proved to be a goalie who backstops his teams to championships. When at his best - which was almost always - Watson was considered one of the very best goalies in lacrosse. He was usually the reason the teams he played with, won. His calm and cool demeanor was one of the reasons he was immensely successful. Bob Watson was known for mentoring team-mates who admired his calm nature and considered him a humble Superstar.

Ontario Lacrosse Association Career – Three Championships

Bob Watson backstopped 2 Founders Cup (Canadian National Junior “B” championship), 1 Mann Cup (Canadian Major Series championship) and 6 Champions Cup (National Lacrosse League championship). 

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. Of interest, his goaltending partner was Steve “Chugger” Dietrich. In 1991, Bob Watson completed his career of Junior lacrosse playing for the Kitchener Junior “A” team where he accumulated 24 assists in 22 games.

After a successful career at the Junior level, Bob Watson went on to play parts of thirteen seasons of OLA Major Series lacrosse winning one Mann Cup with the Brampton Excelsiors in 2002. Playing in 295 games over his career, Bob collected 123 assists. He was a two-time winner of the Harry Lumley Award for least goals against in 2000 and 2002. He also played parts of two seasons in the OLA Senior “B” League with the Wellington Aces in 2007 and 2008.

In recalling the Mann Cup victory, Bob smiled and stated, “Winning the Mann Cup as a member of the Brampton Excelsiors in 2002 and finally having the opportunity to hoist the games most prestigious cup over my head was an incredible moment that I will never forget!

National Lacrosse League Career - Six Championships

Most lacrosse fans know Bob Watson for his tremendous success while playing fifteen 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 seasons, he was selected as the NLL Goalie of the Year. Watson compiled a record of 16 wins and 4 losses during the playoffs and 6 wins and 2 losses in NLL championship games.

In assessing his NLL career, Watson reflected noting, “playing at Maple Leaf Gardens in front of a sold-out crowd as a member of the Toronto Rock and winning the Champions Cup in 1999 for the first time was another memory that stands out! Finally, ending my career on my own terms and retiring as an NLL Champion in 2011 was a great ending to the last game I ever played in the NLL”. 

Multiple Hall of Fame Inductions

Bob Watson has been inducted into 5 Sports Halls of Fame – 4 as an individual and once as a member of a team. He has been inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame twice. He was the goalie of a bantam lacrosse team that won a national championship in 1984 and were inducted in 2000. The second time, Bob was inducted as a player in the year 2014.

Bob was inducted into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame in 2011 – the only NLL inductee in 2011. He received 86% of the Hall entry votes and became only the third goaltender to be entered into the NLL Hall of Fame. Goalies previously inducted are Sal Locascio in 2008 and Dallas Eliuk in 2009. Since Bob Watson’s induction, goaltenders Steve Dietrich in 2012 and Pat O’Toole in 2013 have also been inducted.

Bob Watson was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2021 and into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2023. When informed he was part of the Class of 2021 for induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Bob Watson responded - "Upon hearing about my induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, I was thrilled and excited to be included among some of the games greatest players and builders of the sport. I can truly say that during all my years playing, I never once thought about being considered for the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, let alone being inducted. It is truly an incredible honour.”

Grateful for those who Impacted his Career

Like many of lacrosse greatest stars, upon retirement as a player - Bob Watson gives back to the game coaching at the minor lacrosse league level. In addition, he has acknowledged his gratitude for those people who impacted his career – “I have been truly blessed throughout my lacrosse career having had amazing and influential coaches at all levels including Lawrie Hallman, John Lovell, Troy Cordingley and the late Les Bartley. I would like to give a special acknowledgement to the late Terry Sanderson, a man who I respected and played for the most during my career. "T" gave a young, unproven kid an opportunity to reach his full potential and fulfill his dream of playing the game at the highest level. I had the pleasure of being surrounded by unbelievable teammates at all levels of the game that I have shed blood, sweat and tears with and on several occasions, champagne. They have provided me with some of the greatest memories and moments of my life and I am proud to call them my friends. Finally, a sincere "Thank You" to my wife and kids, my parents and family for all the love, emotional support, and personal sacrifice during my playing career and beyond. It certainly did not go unnoticed, and my success would not have been possible without you”.

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 several team championships and individual awards. Retired from his playing days, he now fully devotes himself to his family and his job as a member of the Waterloo Regional Police Service.