Former Buffalo Bandits forward Jim Veltman and goaltender Dallas Eliuk will be inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame on March 7, the league announced Tuesday.

Veltman, a record-setting forward/transition player and team captain played for the Bandits and Toronto Rock franchises during 16 seasons in the league. Eliuk played for the Philadelphia Wings and Portland LumberJax during an 18-year playing career. Both players retired following

the 2008 season, and were elected to the Hall of Fame during their first year of eligibility.

The ceremony for the Class of 2009 will take place as part of the league's All-Star Weekend in Denver.

The Class of 2009 will be the fourth group to be welcomed in to the Hall of Fame. In 2006, five charter members were inducted: Les Bartley, Russ Cline, Chris Fritz, Gary Gait and Paul Gait. The Class of 2007 included Mike French, Darris Kilgour and Tom Marechek. The Hall also recognized the late Buffalo News reporter Tom Borrelli for his contributions to the game as a member of the media. In 2008, the Hall of Fame inducted Johnny Mouradian, Sal Locascio and Tony Resch. Neil Stevens was recognized for his contributions as a member of the media.

Veltman won eight league championships ( he played 1992-1996 and 1998-2008), the most of any player in league history. Playing for Buffalo, Ontario and Toronto, his teams made 14 playoff appearances and reached the championship game 10 times. Veltman was also the team captain for all eight of his championships; three in Buffalo (1992, '93 & '96) and five in Toronto (1999, 2000, '02, '03 and '05).

Veltman is the league's all-time league leader in loose balls collected (2,417). He also holds the league's single-season loose ball record (226). Other awards include being named the league's MVP in 2004 and winner of the Sportsmanship Award in 2002. He was named to the league's All-Pro Team 12 times.

Eliuk is the National Lacrosse League's all-time saves leader with 6,356 career regular season saves and became the first player to appear in 200 career games. The Vancouver, B.C. native has won four Championships (1994, 1995, 1998 and 2001), nine All-Pro Awards and two

Championship Most Valuable Player Awards (1998 and 2001).

The six-time All-Star retired with a career saves percentage of 76.24% and a career goals-against-average of 12.24. Eliuk also stopped 400 shots or more in a season nine times during his illustrious playing career in the NLL.

Eliuk played his first 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Wings before moving west to play his final three seasons in Portland.