TORONTO — Toronto Rock forward Tom Schreiber had a huge 10-point night Friday, and the way he did it was even more impressive than the big number.
Schreiber, a rookie American playing his first season of box lacrosse, had to withstand the checking of one of the most punishing defensemen in the NLL, Billy Dee Smith. The 6-foot-3 Buffalo captain snarled at and smacked Schreiber constantly. Schreiber shrugged it off, scored three goals and assisted on seven as the Rock routed the Bandits 18-10.
Schreiber’s willingness to go into heavy traffic, get knocked down, lift himself back up and try it again is jaw dropping to watch. This was a breakthrough score-sheet statement: Schreiber is not merely one of the NLL’s best rookies; he’s one of the indoor league’s best players.
“He’s awesome,” Rock forward Stephan Leblanc. “He’s the MVP of the outdoor league (MLL), so you’re not talking about your average player here. He’s a stud. He’s definitely embraced [the indoor game]. He loves it, and it takes that enjoyment of the game to really grasp it.”
Schreiber was well aware of Smith’s reputation.
“You have to respect that intensity and respect that leadership,” he said after post-game handshakes. “I was definitely on the losing side of a couple of those battles, but I have nothing but respect for that guy and the intensity he plays with, although I’ll be a little bruised up. I definitely left impressed. I’ll have a lot of respect for that guy going forward.”
Schreiber, 24, leads the Rock and all NLL rookies 23 points on six goals and 17 assists.
“I’m just trying to stay focused on learning as much as I can and getting better each game,” he said. “I had a couple [shots] drop early and I had a couple of fortunate bounces. Every time I step on the floor at the TRAC (practice facility) or in games I’m trying to get better. I’m watching as much film as I can.”
Toronto captain Brodie Merrill said he sees Schreiber “making subtle adjustments every practice and every game.”
“He’s really starting to emerge for us,” Merrill said. “He brings a different dynamic to the team. He’s a very tough guy to check, he’s a good feeder, he’s starting to establish his outside shot, and he can go to the net. It’s exciting to see. An area you have to respect the most is his adjustment to the physicality and how he has taken that on.
Schreiber’s NLL peers are chiming in. A Twitter post late Friday by Logan Schuss of the Vancouver Stealth:
With Schreiber, Dan Lintner and Brett Hickey scoring three goals each and Kasey Beirnes getting two, the right side of Toronto’s offense produced 11 goals Friday. Right-side vet Leblanc scored twice and amassed seven assists feeding balls to the right-side wrecking crew.
Schreiber was asked about the glowing compliments from Leblanc.
“That means a lot,” he said. “Steph is a guy who has been by my side since I first came up to the TRAC in November. He was one of the first guys to reach out and help me. He had quite the game himself [Friday]. It was great to see that. Having guys like that, experienced guys who are great teammates, has been great for my development and Kieran’s development. They’ve helped us a ton.”
Schreiber’s Long Island pal and fellow Rock rookie Kieran McArdle was not in the lineup against the Bandits.
“We’re bouncing a lot of ideas off each other,” Schreiber said. “We’ve put in some work together back on Long Island, and I just moved about two blocks away from Kieran, so I’m sure we’ll get some reps in during the week.”