MAN UP WITH….Steve Dietrich

When did you decide you wanted to be a pro lacrosse player?
I didn’t really give it much thought until my junior career was over and then I got a phone call from the GM in Baltimore and he offered me a spot on their team. Lacrosse is a game I love and the chance to play in a different country excited me.

Best lacrosse memory?
Winning the championship in 1997 with Rochester. We weren’t supposed to beat Philadelphia in the semi and upset them and then we played Buffalo who was a huge favourite in Buffalo and beat them as well.

If you could change or add a rule to box lacrosse what would it be? 
No diving in the crease

Best pump-up song?
You shook me all night long-ACDC

Have any pre-game rituals? 
Too many to mention…I’m a goalie!!!!

Your best lacrosse workout…
I like to ride the stationery bike at GoodLife.

One player you don’t want to go one-on-one with?
John Grant Jr. He has the best stick fakes and always goes to different corners with the same release point.

Describe your game style…
I am what they call an angle goalie. I like to come out and challenge shooters and give them very little to shoot at.

Who is the best player to ever hold a stick? 
John Tavares. His records speak for themselves but on top of that he is the best teammate I have ever had. The best player, best teammate and hardest worker, explains why he is the best of all time.

Best fight you’ve been in/seen?
1993 Mann Cup in B.C. Brian Bates and Shawn Rouse. Toe-to-toe for about 1.5 minutes.

In one word describe your “game face”.
Intense

What’s the worst injury you’ve had?
Multiple ACL surgeries on my knees

Favourite thing about Toronto…
The crowd and the proximity to home so all my family and friends can come to the games

Do you play any other sports? Did you? 
I played hockey as a kid growing up but after Jr stuck strictly to Lacrosse