NLL Insider Top 50: Kaleb Toth #44

October 19th, 2009 by Paul Tutka

Kaleb Toth (Photo: Larry Palumbo)

The most improved player during the 2009 National Lacrosse League season?

Hard to argue against giving that nod to the Calgary Roughnecks’ Kaleb Toth, who tacked on an extra 30 points onto his ‘08 total, matched a personal best career high in helpers, had his best loosie digits since ‘05, came up clutch like he was on the floor at MLG again (currently taking place at MLG), and his 80 points to end the ‘09 regular season was better than anything he’d done before in Toronto or Calgary.

Although Toth was still a vital part of the Necks in ‘08, the three time Champion’s Cup winner spent most of last year reestablishing himself as a legit threat at the highest level of the game.

Toth also went on to match his best single season playoff digits, knocking down 15 points at this past winter’s Cup triumph, and previously hitting the same number the last time the Roughnecks took it all five years ago.

And for those thinking that Toth’s amped up digits is only a reflection of playing for the best team in the NLL, nice try, but no dice.

Toth followed up that impressive pro season playing for the four-win Nanaimo Timbermen during the summer months, where he finished seventh in WLA scoring with 64 points, his 46 helpers only topped by league scoring champ and former Calgary teammate, Lewis Ratcliff. They were the best numbers Toth posted in the summer loop since his dominating days with the Victoria Shamrocks almost ten years back.

Improved, a comeback, a rebirth, call it whatever you want, but bottom line, Kaleb Toth had an ‘09 that put him back on the map in a big way, and for those that wrote him off, get the pen out.

Fact: Although Toth has made a name for himself in both amateur and pro lacrosse, before going full-time with the sport, Toth also played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League, a right winger with the Prince Albert Raiders, Moose Jaw Warriors and finally the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Toth scored 96 goals during his full four seasons of junior hockey. Maybe even more impressive, Toth added up 441PIM in the bin during those seasons too.

# (last year)
44 (NR) Kaleb Toth, Calgary Roughnecks
45 (NR) Matt Disher, Edmonton Rush
46 (23) Ryan Ward, Edmonton Rush
47 (NR) Kyle Ross, Boston Blazers
48 (NR) Matt King, Calgary Roughnecks
49 (NR) Mac Allen, Rochester Knighthawks
50 (NR) Nick Inch, Minnesota Swarm