Rush Veteran Adds Experience
March 29, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--- One more kick at the can. For Edmonton Rush defender Steve Toll; he's certainly earned his shot. The recently signed veteran player - a loose ball legend who excels in transition and killing penalties - brings championship pedigree, a knack behind the bench and an additional veteran to a relatively young Rush squad down the stretch of the 2012 National Lacrosse League season.
Toll, the 37-year-old from St. Catharines, Ont., was a roster deadline acquisition by Derek Keenan and the Rush general manager and coach, found out the six-foot-one, 199-pound transition specialist has something left in the tank as Edmonton makes a run for a post-season spot.
"I just felt that I still had a little something left to give and was hoping a team would call before the deadline," said Toll, who had a streak of 188 consecutive NLL games played over his14-year NLL career. "Sure enough, Derek, who knows my game and the player I am, called.
"He decided to take a chance and hopefully, I'll help out," said Toll, known for his active stick and was a fan favourite in both Rochester and Toronto.
And when you talk of previous success in both markets, Toll's name ranks with the box lacrosse elite, as he won four NLL titles with the Rock in the early 2000s and another championship with the Knighthawks in 2007.
"I've played with the best and been coached by the best so I've taken in a lot, that's for sure," said Toll, who grabbed over 1500 loosies in that span and is only four points short of 400 in his career.
His latest stop in Edmonton makes for tremendous company as he's played in the past with Rush assistant captain and current NLL ironman Shawn Williams, leading scorer Scott Evans and Aaron Bold in Rochester and the long-time friend of both Williams and Keenan expects to make a difference for the Rush in the final six games of the campaign.
"It's the little things that I can bring to the table and help the guys out in different situations," said Toll, who recently signed on to assistant coach the Whitby Warriors (Junior "A") with Keenan this summer.
"I've been on teams that have won and close teams win. You have to become a group and want to play for each other and the coaches. That's a big thing.
"I like to have fun like the next guy and I know when to be serious, too," he added on his role. "You have to find a medium between both and that's another thing I hope to bring to this team."
And Edmonton, after dropping three one-goal games and a handful of fourth quarter collapses earlier this year, got a boost from the veteran presence on the back end and on the penalty kill in a 10-9 decision against Washington March 24 at Rexall Place.
"Obviously we've lost a few games late and although, I don't think I was the difference in a one-goal win last week, I hope that I helped out there by saying a few things on the floor, on the bench or in the room. And we got the win, so that's all that matters."
The facts on CLax
Despite not starting the season in the NLL, it's not like Toll was away from lacrosse. After his summer box season with the star-laden Peterborough Lakers in Ontario's Major Series Lacrosse, he joined former Rock and Buffalo Bandit legend Jim Veltman in the creation of CLax -- the newly-formed Canadian box lacrosse circuit in Ontario -- where Toll's been involved as an operations executive for the Durham and Oshawa franchises.
"I wasn't sure what was happening for me in the NLL and my object is to get onto coaching and the managerial side of things," Toll said. "This opportunity came about and I'm happy I decided to take the role. It's been a great opportunity to learn and you get to see what the other side is like and learn how just much has to get done."
His role makes him appreciate the efforts into organizing teams and staging games, but more importantly, saw the benefits of a developmental league that featured talented lacrosse and exciting games from many of the top tier-two lacrosse players.
"The decision was easy," Toll said. "There's 120 guys playing lacrosse because they want to play to the game and because they love the game. Why not give back to the game -
He's also hopeful an arrangement can be created for CLax to act as a feeder system for the NLL and have players available for a call up, if needed by the parent club, for upcoming seasons.
"I hope everyone can agree on deal," he said. "I think it's an easy idea and hopefully they can work something out.
"Keenan could have a guy playing a game in CLax once a week and practicing once a week developing and active. Why not have the player in game shape and ready that way -
Edmonton (3-7) looks to continue its winning ways at home with a key divisional matchup Saturday, March 31 at 7 p.m. against the Minnesota Swarm at Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place. The Rush attempts to even the season series with the Swarm and avenge a hard-fought10-9 overtime loss at Minnesota Feb. 10.
By Bruce Rakoczy
Statistically Speaking: Edmonton still boasts the NLL's stingiest defense as the Rush are tied with Calgary with just 115 goals allowed. The Rush, though, continue to struggle offensively with a league-worst 108 goals-for ... Minnesota's offense isn't much better than Edmonton's having scored only 126 goals, the second-fewest in the league. The Swarm have allowed 125 goals-against which puts them right behind Edmonton and Calgary amongst the top defenses ... After a rough go in his last two games Rush netminder Aaron Bold returned to form against Washington last week. Bold has racked up 355 saves so far this season and sits with a .768 save-percentage ... Edmonton's power play sits at 35.3% with the penalty killing at 51.3%. With the man-advantage the Swarm are at a 47.9% clip and while shorthanded they sit at 44.3% ... The Swarm's Andrew Suitor leads the NLL with 54 penalty minutes - four more than Edmonton's Scott Evans ... Jordan MacIntosh (105 loose balls) and Jeff Gilbert (14 forced turnovers) are both fifth in the NLL in those respective categories. By The Numbers: The Rush are 2-6 vs. West Division foes this season while the Swam are 3-3 ... Second-year pro Jarrett Toll is making a nice impact for the Rush. He is second on the club with 54 loose balls and he has won 66 faceoffs. Jarrett Toll is also tied for third with Jeff Cornwall at 11 forced turnovers, both just two behind Brett Mydske at 13 ... Edmonton and Minnesota are both struggling in fourth-quarter play this season. The Rush are being outscored 36-24 in the final period and the Swarm have been outdone by a count of 41-31. The third quarter is the best for Minnesota at 30-24, while the Rush get off to strong starts at 36-26. Edmonton also has difficulties in the second quarter as they trail their opponents 30-20 ... The Swarm made one of the few moves at the NLL trade deadline last week, sending Edmonton native Jamie Shewchuk back to the Colorado Mammoth. Shewchuk, who always does well against the Rush, had 14 points in nine games with Minnesota this season.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 29, 2012
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- Grant Returns to Rochester - Colorado Mammoth
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- Rush Veteran Adds Experience - Edmonton Rush
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