The relocated Syracuse Smash, now playing out of Corel Centre in Kanata, Ontario, announced today that the team will be known as the Ottawa Rebel.

The team's logo is primarily black, silver, and blue, and features a "fierce but friendly" lacrosse player, according to a team press release.

Ottawa Rebel logos.

"The name and logo defined for us the National Lacrosse League game," said team president Bryan Black. "The lacrosse player on the logo, just like those who play the game, is rough, intense, and athletic."

"We believe the name 'Rebel' and our logo have an edge to them, but that they will also appeal to our fans at every age," added Black. "The colors are strong and sharp, and offer us a lot of flexibility for team jerseys and merchandising."

Ottawa's first game will be on 21 December, when it visits the two-time defending champion Toronto Rock. The first Rebel home game is slated for 5 January and will also be against the Rock, thus completing the home-and-home series.

The first Rebel practices will be held on 4 November at Soccer Magic in Kingston, Ontario. The site was selected because it is halfway between Peterborough, Ontario -- the home of head coach Mark Vitarelli and several of the team's Canadian players -- and Syracuse, where the team was based the past three years and where most of the team's American players live.

"I'm really excited about playing in Canada," said Rebel star Del Halladay from his home in British Columbia. "There is a real potential for fan support in Ottawa, and management has made some good moves. I'm optimistic. When an organization is run properly, it filters down."

Al Smith, eastern Ontario director for the Ontario Lacrosse Association, says that the lacrosse community in the Canadian capital is eagerly anticipating its newest professional team.

"This will really give minor lacrosse throughout eastern Ontario a big boost," says Smith. "It will also give juniors playing in the Ottawa area something to shoot for, playing on a pro team where they live."

With minor lacrosse thriving in the nearby towns of Nepean and Gloucester, among others, Smith says that a market exists for the pro team.

The Ottawa Senators of the NHL own a share of the Rebel and are helping to promote the team. Included in each of tonight's programs is a flyer providing season-ticket information. Tickets range from $9.00 to $27.50 (Canadian) and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (613.755.1166).

Special thanks to Bob Cochrane for attending today's press conference on behalf of the Outsider's Guide and for submitting a report thereof.