Not to jinx him, but….
Nearly three months into the 2023-24 season, Stouffville Spirit goaltender Stephen Toltl has yet to taste defeat.
Signed by Stouffville from the Jr. B St. Catharines Falcons last summer, Toltl is 6-0-0 for the Spirit with a .923 save percentage and 2.07 Goals against average. (With St. Catharines last season, he had a .932 save percentage.)
His latest conquest was a gritty 3-2 road win over nationally-ranked Milton Sunday night. The Spirit were outshot 41-37.
“He stood on his head,” second-year defenceman David Paglia said of Toltl.
So did all of the Spirit penalty killers, successfully extinguishing all 10 Milton power play chances.
“We were ready, we were prepared and our PK was very good,” Toltl said.
Peter Kioussis scored his team-leading 18th and 19th goals of the season. Riley Pope assisted on two goals.
The Spirit record is 12-8-0-3.
Tolt, 18, is from the Hamilton-area community of Binbrook. His minor hockey resume includes time with the Hamilton Huskies, Niagara North Stars and Glancaster Bombers.
He’s taking two business-related courses at York University this fall with an eye on eventually obtaining a commerce degree.
Like most OJHL players, he’d ultimately like to play hockey and study at an NCAA school.
How does Jr. A compare to Jr. B?
“It’s a bit faster, for sure, A bit more skill,” he said, “but I think I’ve adjusted pretty well. It’s just hard work.”
Toltl and ex-OHLer Kyle Downey are the Spirit’s goaltending tandem.
“We’re getting along quite well,” Toltl said. “It’s a healthy competition and we’re pushing each other to get better every day.
“Kyle has shared a couple of things. It’s very nice to have someone with that kind of experience on your team.”
Toltl also gives credit to Derek Bujan of Bujan Goaltending in Hamilton who he has worked with during the past two years.
“He’s been a huge part of my development,” he said.
Toltl billets with the Gallagher family in Stouffville. He’s attended games and helped out at practices with one of their boy’s Clippers minor hockey team.
“I love it here,” he said. “I’ve really been welcomed and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our group.”
THE SKED
Pickering at Stouffville, Thursday, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Stouffville at Haliburton Country, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m.
Cobourg at Stouffville, Saturday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.
All Spirit games are broadcast on FloHockey. Go to: https://www.flohockey.tv/
NOTEBOOK
Look for the Spirit in the Stouffville Santa Claus Parade as it makes its way along Main Street between Ninth Line and Park Drive. The action begins at 6 p.m. The Spirit/Farmer Jack’s entry is near the back of the procession – not far from Santa himself.
Youth hockey players in team jerseys will be admitted free of charge to this Thursday’s game.
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon
