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| Mississauga Power | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Leagues | NBL Canada | ||
| Founded | 2011 | ||
| Folded | 2015 | ||
| History | Oshawa Power (2011–2013) Mississauga Power (2013–2015) | ||
| Arena | General Motors Centre (2011–2013) Hershey Centre (2013–2015) | ||
| Capacity | 5,400 (basketball configuration) | ||
| Location | Mississauga,Ontario, Canada | ||
| Team colours | Black, White | ||
TheMississauga Power were a Canadian professionalbasketball team based inMississauga,Ontario, that competed in theNational Basketball League of Canada (NBL). Established in2011 as the Oshawa Power, they played in theCentral Division. The Oshawa team began play in the inaugural NBL Canada season, along with theLondon Lightning,Moncton Miracles, andSummerside Storm and threePremier Basketball League (PBL) teams.
The Power were relatively unsuccessful in their four years of existence. They had a losing record every season and a combined record of 17–55 since relocating to Mississauga. The team also had six different coaches during the span. In 2012, Oshawa'sBrandon Robinsonled the league in scoring and was namedRookie of the Year.Point guardOmar Strong became the team's all-time leader inthree-point field goals, passing formerAll-NBL Canada selectionNick Okorie, and won theSixth Man of the Year Award.[1]
In June2015, it was announced that the Power franchise sold to Raptors to create ofRaptors 905, theNBA Development League affiliate to theToronto Raptors of theNational Basketball Association (NBA). The D-League team would play their home games at the Power's arena, theHershey Centre.[2][3]
The franchise was established in 2011 as the Oshawa Power, and they played their first season in theNational Basketball League of Canada. Following the league's additions of theHalifax Rainmen,Saint John Mill Rats, andQuebec Kebs in May 2011, they joined that summer with theLondon Lightning,Moncton Miracles, andSummerside Storm.[4]
In a release from the team, they said they chose their nickname because it "epitomizes the force of a community coming together as one."[5] Before the start of the2011–12 NBL Canada season, the Power named formerNBA playerMark Strickland their head coach. The decision to add Strickland was viewed as a big step forward by President of Basketball Operations Gary Durrant.[5]
The team decided to selectMorgan Lewis with thefirst overall pick in the2011 NBL Canada draft. Lewis also became the first player to be drafted in NBLC history.[6] Along withUniversity of Findlay's star, the Power picked up Blain LaBranche and Kevin Francis that same night. LaBranche, who played for theUBC Thunderbirds in college, was known as a strong three-point shooter, whileCleveland State's Francis was noted for his size and attitude.[5]
In mid-October, Oshawa held two intra-squad games inPickering High School andG L Roberts Collegiate and Vocational Institute inOntario. Their official 18-man training camp roster featured players the caliber of Lewis,Brandon Robinson,Tut Ruach,Denham Brown, and Omari Johnson. Gary Durrant said, "We are very pleased with the guys we have on our training camp roster. I can't wait for everyone to see how entertaining and dynamic our guys are. Be prepared to be amazed by the Power."[7] However, before the season began, Brown signed withCiclista Olímpico of theLiga Nacional de Básquet inArgentina. Durrant called him a "role model to younger players."[8]On October 30, 2011, the Power made their first-ever appearance in an official NBLC game, losing to theQuebec Kebs, 101–104, at theColisée de Laval inLaval, Quebec.Brandon Robinson led Oshawa with 16 points andTut Ruach added 10 assists, but they were overwhelmed by Tommy Mitchell andRoyce Parran.[9] This was the first regular season game in the history of the NBL Canada as well.[8] Oshawa started strong in their home opener at theGeneral Motors Centre against theMoncton Miracles in their following game, capturing a 107–80 victory.[10]
Strickland parted ways with the Power on December 21, 2011, after leading the team to a 6–11 start to the season. Durrant said, "We appreciate all that Coach Strickland has done for this organization."[11] It was also announced that David Joseph, best known as the father ofSan Antonio Spurs playerCory Joseph, would assume the role until an interim head coach was named. Joseph assisted Jim Barclay atCentennial College inToronto and therefore was not capable of taking up the full-time job.[12] After having Joseph coach two games, both of which were defeats, Oshawa introduced formerDuke Blue Devils captain Robert Brickey as their head coach for the remainder of the season.[13] Before long under their new sideline leader, on January 4, 2012, leading scorer Akeem Wright was traded away to theMoncton Miracles in exchange for forward Andrew Francis.[14] Brickey would help the Power finish off the season a relatively pleasant 9–10 and engineered a 4-game winning streak during his term, but his team ultimately finished fifth in the league at 15–21.[15] In the 2011–12 season, where only four teams could qualify for the postseason, they failed to make the playoffs.[16] Nevertheless, Brandon Robinsonled the league in points per game for that season.[17]
In April 2013, an official announcement was made that the Power would relocate toMississauga for the2013–14 NBL Canada season.[18]
The Power played their home games at theHershey Centre, located inMississauga,Ontario. The stadium, which opened in October 1998, is known as one of the best sports and entertainment facilities in theGreater Toronto Area and features a portableFIBA-size basketball court. The Hershey Centre is also the home to theMississauga Steelheads of theOntario Hockey League as well as many other teams.[19] It hostedwrestling,judo,taekwondo, andkarate at the2015 Pan American Games andgoalball,powerlifting, andwheelchair rugby events at the2015 Parapan American Games.[20]
Before moving to Mississauga, when the Power were based inOshawa, their home stadium was theGeneral Motors Centre. The GM Centre is known to be home of theOshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League. Opened in 2006, it is a multi-purpose arena that has previously hostedElton John concerts andCirque du Soleil performances. It can hold up to 7,600 visitors and has special club seating. As a sports stadium, it has hosted events such as the2011 BDO Canadian Open of Curling, theIIHF World Junior Pre-Competition, and theCanadian Synchronized Skating Championships.[21]
On October 2, 2014, the Mississauga Power secured significant corporate support by announcing their partnership withBioSteel Sports Supplements Inc &Peak Sports Canada.[22]
This the second significant sponsorship announcement in the basketball market forBioSteel Sports Supplements Inc. Earlier in the summerBioSteel Sports Supplements Inc became the exclusive sports drink provider forCanada Basketball.[23]
Mississauga Power's official mascot was "POW". This mascot was easily one of the most recognizable mascots in the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) and around the Greater Toronto Area. POW has been seen across the city in various community and city events like the Toronto Auto Show.[24]
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility atFIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
| Mississauga Power roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Updated: May 23, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Power have had twofirst overall draft picks in franchise history:Morgan Lewis (selected in2011) andJordan Weidner (selected in 2014). Both draftees hailed from the United States, but neither of them playedcollege basketball at theDivision I level. Some of the other players Oshawa and Mississauga have drafted in the past include Anthony Petteway and Freddie Riley in 2014, Bol Kong, Dwight McCombs, and Eric Petty, Jr. in 2013, Chad Gillaspy, Amani Daanish, and Jamaal Smith in 2012, and Kevin Francis and Blain Labranche in 2011.[4]
Bold denotes still active with team.
Statistics (regular season) as of the end of the 2014–15 season[4]
Points
Rebounds
Assists
Steals
Blocks
| Nationality | Name | Season |
|---|---|---|
 USA | Morgan Lewis | 2011–2012 |
| USA | Omari Johnson | 2011–2012 |
| USA | Brandon Robinson | 2011–2012 |
| USA | Nick Okorie | 2012–2013 |
 CAN | Papa Oppong | 2012–2013 |
| USA | Morgan Lewis | 2013–2014 |
| CAN | Alex Johnson | 2013–2014 |
| No. | Name | Years | Games | Won | Lost | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Strickland | 2011 | 17 | 6 | 11 | .353 |
| 2 | David Joseph | 2011, 2013–2014 | 36 | 8 | 28 | .222 |
| 3 | Robert Brickey | 2011–2012 | 19 | 9 | 10 | .474 |
| 4 | Larry Blunt | 2012–2013 | 40 | 18 | 22 | .450 |
| 5 | Fred Grannum | 2013 | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 |
| 6 | Kyle Julius | 2014–2015 | 32 | 7 | 25 | .219 |
| 4-year Total | 2011–2015 | 150 | 50 | 100 | .333 | |
