Second generation Double Blue
Zackary Toll has some huge footsteps in which to follow.
The 16-year-old Oshawa native is the son current St. Catharines WMKL Athletics head coach Steve Toll, who also happens to be the organization’s all-time leading scorer and one of the greatest players ever to wear the double blue.
The younger Toll made his junior A debut last week, and in true Toll fashion, potted a goal and an assist.
“It’s big for the first game to try and get a goal but I’m going out there just trying to think about creating for my teammates,” Zackary Toll said. “When they create for me, it’s just an awesome experience to bury my first one.”
It was a proud moment for the elder Toll, who netted an incredible 252 goals during his five-year junior A career.
“Especially with me growing up here and playing here for my five years, it’s pretty awesome thing to happen to see your kid put on the colours that you put on,” Steve Toll said. “It’s a pretty proud feeling.”
Zackary Toll was playing lacrosse by the time he was four years old and quickly demonstrated both a love for the game as well as an above average aptitude.
“He loved it right away. He loves the game,” said Steve Toll, who coached his son all the way up through minor lacrosse with the Oshawa Blue Knights organization.
The A’s made Zackary Toll their first selection (fourth overall) in the 2023 Ontario Junior Lacrosse League draft.
“I’ve always wanted an opportunity to play at the next level. All through minor lacrosse he’s told me, ‘You’re going to be an A, you’re going to be an A’ and I’m just so honoured to put on the jersey,” Zackary Toll said.
Not surprisingly, Zackary Toll is as smart as he is talented.
“He’s got a very high lacrosse IQ. You can’t teach IQ. He just gets it,” Steve Toll said. “He knows where to be in the right spots.
“He can score goals and makes good decisions with the ball, which is key, and he runs hard on and off which is what you want from an O guy.”
Steve Toll said the A’s will walk a fine line making sure Zachary Toll gets the necessary experience he needs to grow, without overexposing him.
“To be a 2006 playing against 2002s with a late birthday, expectations aren’t high this year. Just learn the game and chip in where you can and next year he’ll be better. It’s building for the future,” Steve Toll said. “He’s going to get lots of chances on the power play and if guys get wounded or are in the penalty box, he’s going to get lots of playing time.
“Obviously, I have to control my temperature with him, the good and the bad, and realize he’s only 16 playing against 21 year olds. My expectations were always so high because he was one of the best at his age and I’ve always expected him to score three or four a game so it’s a little bit of a different scenario for him now.”
Zackary Toll is well aware of the age and strength difference, but isn’t focusing on the disadvantage.
“It’s not easy for sure,” he said. “You just have to go back to the fundamentals of the game and just try not to think they are five years older than me, just worry about yourself and doing your own thing.”
Zackary Toll grew up around the Athletics, with cousins Carter and Keaton Zavitz also playing. Keaton Zavitz assisted on his inaugural goal.
“I’ve never felt so accepted to be here,”Zackary Toll said. “From the first, I’m the new kid, just to feel so accepted.”
When the game is over, Steve Toll becomes dad again, and is well aware the eyes of the family are on him now that he is coaching his son.
“I don’t want to not give him trouble when he deserves to get in trouble but I also go home and have to deal with his mother and grandparents so that comes into effect too! You have to think of all the scenarios.
“You can ask the boys that have played for me before, he doesn’t get favoured whatsoever — until he deserves it.”
Zackary Toll scored again Wednesday as the A’s dropped a 13-6 decision to the Burlington Braves at Canada Games Park to drop their record to 3-2.
STATS PACK
Blaze 13 A’s 6
WMKL Player of the Game: Burlington’s Ryan Brooks with four goals and four assists.
For the St. Catharines Athletics: Tye Steenhuis 3; Keaton Zavitz, Zackary Toll, Christian LeFeuvre.
For the Burlington Blaze: Brooks 4; Coltrane Tyson 3; Alex Mariner 2; Josh Rosa, Ty English, Will MacLeod, Alexis Simard.
Up next: In Brampton Friday, home to Kitchener-Waterloo Saturday at 7 p.m., in Orangeville Sunday.
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