Today I can finally smile with what was reported in the sports world. Former NLL goalie Pat O’Toole of the Rochester Knighthawks was the lone inductee to the Hall of Fame Class of 2013. In the past week we have heard nothing but an NFL player shouting a racial slur, and 13 MLB players being suspended for PED’s.
This is just icing on the cake for O’Toole. Back to Back NLL titles as a coach, to go with his unbelievable numbers as a goalie. Personally as a Wings fan, and I’m sure other fans throughout the league would cringe every time you hear at a game “WHAT TIME IS IT?! But you have to respect his game. He was one of the best to ever put the pads on and get between the pipes.
On the floor fans and opposing players were frustrated by him for obvious reasons, but when that final buzzer sounded and the game was over, O’Toole is one of the nicest men you ever want to meet.
It didn’t matter if you rooted for or against him, he always had time to speak with the fans, take pictures etc.. He was one never to take all the credit, he always acknowledged his players in front of him, because without them scoring they couldn’t win.
In 2012 I had the honor to talk to Pat when the Knighthawks made a trip to Philadelphia for a pre-season game. I asked him how does the team look? Pat said, “We are going to have some growing pains this season”. When I saw Pat after the Champions Cup victory that season he said, “We grew up fast”!!
A 16 year veteran (12 with Rochester) he made 6,464 save (2nd overall) Rochester’s all-time franchise leader in wins (102) and saves (5,756), O’Toole posted a career record of 115-56 in 204 regular season games with an 11.40 goals against average and .768 save percentage while adding an NLL-record three goals and 136 assists. O’Toole had a 9-9 record in 23 career playoff games with six Championship Game appearances (1996-1997, 1999-2000, 2003, 2007). O’Toole has won two titles as a player, 1996 with the Buffalo Bandits(MVP) and in 2007 with Rochester
O’Toole becomes the 21st member of the Hall of Fame, the fifth goaltender to be inducted since
2008. Sal LoCascio (2008), Dallas Eliuk (2009), Bob Watson (2011), Steve Dietrich (2012)
It’s obvious the Knighthawk Knation is excited to see O’Toole being inducted, but just as excited are the fans of the NLL as not only a true sportsman of the game, but truly a first class guy will be inducted into the NLL HALL of FAME.
CONGRATULATIONS PAT O’TOOLE
