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 the 2011–12 NBL Canada season, the Power named former NBA player Mark 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 select Morgan Lewis with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBL Canada draft. Lewis also became the first player to be drafted in NBLC history.[6] Along with University of Findlay's star, the Power picked up Blain LaBranche and Kevin Francis that same night. LaBranche, who played for the UBC Thunderbirds in college, was known as a strong three-point shooter, while Cleveland State's Francis was noted for his size and attitude.[5]
In mid-October, Oshawa held two intra-squad games in Pickering High School and G L Roberts Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Ontario. 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 with Ciclista Olímpico of the Liga Nacional de Básquet in Argentina. 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 the Quebec Kebs, 101–104, at the Colisée de Laval in Laval, Quebec. Brandon Robinson led Oshawa with 16 points and Tut Ruach added 10 assists, but they were overwhelmed by Tommy Mitchell and Royce 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 the General Motors Centre against the Moncton 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 of San Antonio Spurs player Cory Joseph, would assume the role until an interim head coach was named. Joseph assisted Jim Barclay at Centennial College in Toronto 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 former Duke 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 the Moncton 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 Robinson led the league in points per game for that season.[17]
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]
The Power have had two first overall draft picks in franchise history: Morgan Lewis (selected in 2011) and Jordan Weidner (selected in 2014). Both draftees hailed from the United States, but neither of them played college basketball at the Division 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]
Franchise leaders
Bold denotes still active with team.
Statistics (regular season) as of the end of the 2014–15 season[4]
