Toronto Rock revitalized by some new kids on the block
A hotshot American rookie joins the Toronto franchise that had fallen on hard times only to lead it in scoring, and back into the playoffs.
The National Lacrosse League’s Toronto Rock — who finished dead last in 2016 — didn’t mean to steal a page from the Toronto Maple Leafs, even if it kind of looks that way.
The Rock reloaded this season with young players, with Tom Schreiber playing the lacrosse version of Auston Matthews by putting up a teammost 94 points.
“I don’t know if I can be put on the same level there,” Schreiber said. “I know what a special season he had and what he means to that team. I don’t know if we can go that far (with comparisons).”
Maybe not. But Schreiber’s performance — and those of the other newcomers — is a big reason why the Rock finished as the second seed in the East and will play the New England Black Wolves on Saturday at the Air Canada Centre.
It’s a one-game East Division semifinal, the winner earning a trip to Georgia for the division final.
What’s remarkable about Schreiber’s year — as well as teammate Kieran McArdle — is that neither had played any box lacrosse. As well as they have done, the adjustment from field lacrosse was not easy.
“I played field lacrosse my whole life, outdoors, on a soccer field,” the 25-year-old Schreiber said. “Goals are bigger. Goalies are smaller. Indoors, there’s a lot less space, more physicality, and smaller field. There was a lot to get used to.”
The two live in the same town on Long Island, scouted and wooed by the Rock over the summer.
“They had us up before training camp,” Schreiber said. “The deal was if it goes well, we’ll keep you around, if not, it was a good experience. I was on board with that. It was a pretty low-pressure situation. The coaching staff and vets on the team spent a lot of time with me and Kieran trying to get us acclimated the best they could.
“It was a rough couple of pre-season games, but we got more comfortable as time went on. It was trial by fire. We learned pretty quickly. Believe it or not, it continues to be a learning process, trying to pick up new things every time I’m out there.”
Schreiber was a first-team AllAmerican at Princeton and MVP of Major League Lacrosse in 2016. McArdle is the all-time leading scorer at St. John’s University. The two live on Long Island, flying in Tuesday night for practice as well as week- ends for games.
“They made the transition well this year,” coach Matt Sawyer said. “They’re both driven individuals, used to performing at a high level in field lacrosse. They put the work in to learn the box lacrosse game. They’re easy to teach and coach.
“But a lot of it is on their shoulders, the time and the commitment they put in.”
It obviously worked — perhaps easier than he thought it would — given Schreiber led the team with 33 goals and 61 assists.
“I tried to just throw the ball to guys who know how to score,” Schreiber said. “Those are the simplest terms I can put it in. If I have an open shot, take it. Try to be aggressive. This was a good situation for me to walk into. It’s been fun.”