Toronto Maple Leafs: The Connected History Of Lacrosse On Ice

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 02: Toronto Maple Leafs logo on jersey during an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 02: Toronto Maple Leafs logo on jersey during an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

As the trade deadline, and all of its excitement, comes to a close, let’s look at some other Toronto sports that share a similarity to the one on ice. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a long history with Canada’s second national sport both on and off the rink.

My boyfriend and I recently attended a Toronto Rock game (which we won!). For those unfamiliar with the National Lacrosse League (NLL), the Toronto Rock is Toronto’s professional lacrosse team which plays in the Scotia Bank Arena. It’s just as fun as going to a Toronto Maple Leafs game, but about 1000 x more affordable.

What many people are also unaware of, is that there are many similarities between hockey and lacrosse besides just their arenas.

For example, Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares’ uncle, coincidentally also named John Tavares, is a Hall of Fame lacrosse player. As well, due to the similar nature of the sport, many hockey players have taken up lacrosse in the summer. There is more to this sport than fancy Andrei Svechnikov goals.

History between lacrosse and the Toronto Maple Leafs

Firstly, let’s start with a bit of history lesson. Did you know that the Toronto Maple Leafs was actually the name of a box lacrosse team until 1970? Makes sense why players have an affinity towards the sport.

In fact, Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has long since reasoned lacrosse was to blame for his exceptional hand-eye coordination.

In a 2001 article, Tavares and The Great One praised the sport for bleeding into their on-ice play. Tavares has also stated that goal scoring skills he acquires, such as spinning off checks and battling in traffic, were built by playing lacrosse.

However, long before pyjama boy came to the blue and white, the NHL has been using lacrosse as a way to develop on ice skills. Former Toronto Maple Leafs player Joe Nieuwendyk played lacrosse growing up, as have Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Toews (per sports illustrated).

Oiler’s James Neal has claimed, rightfully so, that lacrosse also heavily relies on hand-eye coordination and footwork to pass the opponents. These are traits that are also necessary in hockey, and can be seen so well in Mitch Marner.

The question remains, why?

What are the similarities between lacrosse and ice hockey?

These two national sports of Canada utilize similar skills to play the game. Both have the same base as well, a forward line, defence pairing, and goaltender, but even deeper than that it requires a similar skill set to succeed.

In Lacrosse, players must shoot the ball within 30 seconds or the other team gains control. While this is a similar feature to basketball, it also teaches fast playmaking which is utilized in hockey as well.

For example, one the defensive team gains possession of the ball, they have 5 seconds to get out of their own crease or lose possession. How many times have the Toronto Maple Leafs been caught up in their own end on power plays?

Another similarity between the two sports is how physicality is a beneficial attribute. Unlike in basketball, both lacrosse and hockey use bodychecks and stick-checks as a seamless part of their game.

However, lacrosse allows teams to bring a more physical element to the rink, especially in regards to goaltending. Unlike the NHL’s very controversial goaltender interference rules, in lacrosse the goalkeeper can be bodychecked once they leave the crease.

Not to bash too much on Freddie but there have been instances where his misplaying of the puck has directly led to a goal. Goaltenders in lacrosse tend to be more aware of their surroundings since they can be treated like any other player once they leave their crease.

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The point of bringing this up is that as many fans cry for Dubas’s head on a stick, I think we should focus on rational examples the Leafs could use as guidance towards improvement.