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Hall of Fame Inductee page:

Kaleb Toth

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reprinted from the Class of 2022 Induction Program:

KALEB TOTH – Major Contributor to many Championship Teams

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Kaleb Toth began playing minor lacrosse at age 3, playing for the Willowridge Chiefs andAxemen Lacrosse Club. Toth was eventually recruited by Dave Lough and Paul Dal Monte to play two seasons of Junior A with the Burnaby Lakers of theBCLA, which included winning a Minto Cup in 1998. Over two seasons, Kaleb netted 118 goals, added 111 assists for a total of 229 points in 52 games, winning the league scoring title with 130 points in 24 games in 1998.

With a height of 6’ and weighing 181pounds, Kaleb Toth was a right-handed shot who played a feisty style. He began his WLA career in 1999 with the Victoria Shamrocks as part of the Mann Cup championship team. Toth was awarded Rookie of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player in the 1999 season. In 2000 he led the WLA in goals scored, netting 52 in 17 games.

After four seasons with Victoria, winning the Mann Cup in 1999 and 2003, Kaleb played seven seasons with the Nanaimo Timbermen. During his 11 seasons of WLA lacrosse, Kaleb played 174 games, scoring 301 goals, along with 331 assists for a total of 632 points.

Chosen by the Toronto Rock (NLL), Kaleb was the second overall selection in the 1999 draft. He did not join Toronto until the 2000 season – which became a memorable year as Kaleb scored the winning goal when Toronto won the 2000 NLL championship defeating Rochester 14-13. Known as “THE” goal (scored with just one second left on the clock). An interesting piece of trivia - this goal was the last goal ever scored (in any professional sport) at Maple Leaf Gardens. At that time, the NLL expansion included a team in Calgary. Kaleb requested a trade to his hometown. Beginning play in the 2001 season, the Calgary Roughnecks won their first NLL championship in 2004, just their third season.

During this time Kaleb was chosen to represent Canada in the 2003 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and contributed to Team Canada's victory.

Overall, Kaleb played thirteen seasons in the NLL (2 with Toronto and 11 with Calgary) tallying 744 points in 194 games. Toth played on three NLL Champions Cup teams (Toronto in 2000) and (Calgary in 2004 and 2009). So revered in Calgary, the Roughnecks retired Kaleb’s sweater #9 on “Kaleb Toth Night” in 2013.

Kaleb was a two-sport athlete. Toth played hockey scoring 122 goals and 96 assists in 323 games during a 5-year career in the Western Hockey League. He also played one season in the East Coast Hockey League in 1998-99.

When hearing he was to be inducted in the CLHOF, Kaleb responded, “To be honest I thought one of my buddies was playing a practical joke on me. After it was officially announced, I felt honoured. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is one of the most prestigious recognitions in an athlete’s career”.

In recalling career highlights Kaleb stated, “I was fortunate to be on championship teams - winning the Minto Cup with Burnaby in 1998 and the Mann Cup with Victoria in 1999. Also, the Victoria team’s 50th anniversary celebration was something special. My most memorable highlights include scoring the last professional goal at Maple Leaf Gardens. This goal helped Toronto win the NLL championship in 2000. Also, winning two NLL championships in my hometown of Calgary in 2004 and 2009 are special”.

When discussing people impacting his Hall of Fame career, Kaleb noted, “My family and friends, I have been fortunate to have a loving and supportive community of supporters. My parents gave me every opportunity to follow my dreams; my sisters were part of my cheering squad; and my brother and friends continued to push me to be the best I can be. When I was away from home I was fortunate to have amazing billets in Burnaby and Victoria, strangers who welcomed me into their home, treating me like family. Finally, my wife Mary-Anne and our kids allowed me to pursue my dreams supporting me every step of the way”.

When his playing career was over, Kaleb became involved in coaching. He coached minor lacrosse with each of his three children’s teams. In 2013, Toth became the Head Coach for Nanaimo of the WLA for six seasons. He was named WLA Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2018. Kaleb Toth also was an Assistant Coach with the Vancouver Stealth of the NLL in 2015 and with the Vancouver Warriors in 2020. Kaleb is quick to comment, “I love the game of lacrosse and coaching allows me to give back to the game. Coaching keeps me connected to the game and the lacrosse community”.

Kaleb Toth had a remarkable career. He was reputed to have one of the hardest shots in lacrosse. Kaleb provided inspiration and leadership to every team he played on and was a major contributor winning championships (a Minto, a World Indoor Championship, 2 Mann Cups, 3 Champions Cup).

Considered among the best box lacrosse players of all time – Kaleb Toth joins the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame – inducted into the Player Category – Class of 2022.

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