The Vancouver Ravens announced yesterday that they have reached an agreement to return to General Motors Place for the 2008 season.

GM Place, an 18,630-seat arena in Vancouver, was the Ravens' home rink from the team's inception in 2002 until it suspended operations just before the 2005 season.

Along with collecting 2500 season ticket deposits, which the Ravens had already reached, the club was also required by the National Lacrosse League's Board of Governors to secure an arena lease by this week in order to end the team's three-year hiatus.

"We're very pleased with the approach and commitment of Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment in support of the new Vancouver Ravens and all British Columbia lacrosse fans," Ravens general partner Bob Whitsett said.

The announcement came one week after it was reported that the Ravens' negotiations with Pacific Coliseum had fallen apart, purportedly due to a lack of time for arena management to adequately consider lease details.

The only remaining hurdle for the Ravens, assuming it is even an issue for the Board of Governors, is collecting on the written commitments for tickets by the Thursday deadline. Of the 2500-plus who have promised to buy season tickets, only a thousand have actually paid the $25 (Canadian) deposit.

Fans can still reserve their seats and make deposits at ravenslacrosse.com.