It’s rare for a goaltender to be counted among the game’s elite at a young age. Younger goalies can struggle as they compete for playing time against their veteran counterparts. With more playing time and experience, they’ll hit their stride. Matt Vinc is the best example of this, but so too are former players like Pat O’Toole, Mike Poulin and Evan Kirk, and current players like Doug Jamieson and Nick Rose, the latter named Goalie of the Year for the first time at age 36.
Ottawa Black Bears’ Zach Higgins fits this mold to a tee. At 34, Higgins just completed his 11th season in the NLL and he’s gotten better every year. Goals against averages and save percentages rise and fall as a team goes, but confidence wise, Higgins was unbeatable in 2024-25 and was even in the conversation for Goalie of the Year.
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“You need experience,” Higgins agreed. “I think being a goalie especially, it’s hard to get when you’re young. When I came in there were only nine teams, so experience was hard to come by and I definitely struggled. It’s a massive jump from junior, even senior lacrosse to the NLL and I didn’t expect that. Being new and not knowing a lot of people, it was hard.”
Higgins played for four teams (three different franchises) in his first six years in the league before settling in with the Wings for a four-year stint.
“As I’ve gotten older, it’s gotten a lot easier. [My teammates} have really helped with my transition and that’s what has helped make me a better goalie. Being 34, you’ve kind of seen it all.”
“If he was going to jump, I was going to follow him and jump as high as I could,” Higgins smiled. “It was really whatever he can do and I can learn from. That was kind of a big turning point. I know some young kids have come in and had some success and I think that’s a testament to the work effort it takes to step into this league. It took me a little bit longer but I’m happy with my progress.”
In the past few seasons, Higgins has become the mentor that he used to need, first with Deacan Knott in Philadelphia and then last season with Cameron Dunkerley and Will Johnston in Ottawa.
“The biggest thing you can pass on is just, it’s hard,” he said. “I remember being young and I didn’t really have that and it was something you wished you did, but I had to learn the hard way by trial by error. The best thing young kids can do now is just have patience and watch.
“Deacan was with us for a couple of years and that first year he was just a practice goalie, and you just do what you need to do. You get shots when you can. You find a way to be a part of the team, and he did a good job of that. You try to be a great teammate and you watch and learn and be supportive. When you’re like that, guys want to root for you. I’ve been in that position of being a backup, and it’s a lot easier when you’re a great team player and you’re coming in each week and being supportive. That’s why we saw some success from him at the end of this season. When you do that, you get the confidence of the guys in the room when it’s your turn to step in.”
He continued, “Same with Will, I know he came in this year thinking he was backup and then me being traded here pushed him down to the practice roster. But he showed he’s putting in the work each week, making the drive from Ottawa to Brampton for practice. When you put in that work, it pays off. So that’s kind of the biggest thing I could always say. People will notice and it’s going to pay off in the long run, especially when you’re 23. I know I’ve seen them get reps this year playing Sr. B – you just need to find a net somewhere and get that experience of playing.”
The Saskatchewan Rush host the Ottawa Black Bears at Sask Tel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, April 19, 2025
Ottawa finished in ninth place with an 8-10 record, just missing the playoffs in their first year at Canadian Tire Centre after relocating from Long Island. Higgins was acquired from the Philadelphia Wings in September for Liam Patten, Phil Caputo and a first-round pick. Higgins had been Philadelphia’s starter since 2020, but the team missed the playoffs in 2023 and 2024 and acquired Panther City starter Nick Damude – eight years younger than Higgins – in the dispersal draft.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t make the playoffs, and I know that was a big team goal of ours and the focus coming into the season. But other than that, the season went pretty well. It was exciting going to Ottawa,” said Higgins, reflecting on the season. “It’s nice being closer to home. It’s a great group of guys. I grew up with some of them, so it was a pretty smooth transition coming from Philly, thankfully. They made it easy to come in and just try to play your best. I know we’re looking forward to getting back to it this November.”
Though they missed the playoffs, Higgins believes the team had more highs than lows during the season, and it started with their 11-5 home opener win over Toronto, where they showed their potential.
“Once we do make playoffs, I think we’re going to hopefully make a run. I think that’s what we’re all striving towards.”
Credit: Sam Hossack
“A few of us now play in Brooklin here like Taggart (Clark) and (Connor) Kearnan. I know a lot of guys play in Brampton and I just saw Matt Marinier was traded to Six Nations. That’s a good group to go with, to play with (Larson) Sundown. I think a lot of us are putting in that work in the off-season to make sure we’re ready to come to training camp, and that’s all you can do is make sure you’re putting your effort in and it’s going to pay off eventually.”
Higgins hails from nearby Courtice, ON, so suiting up for BLC means he’s playing in front of friends and family, including his two-year-old daughter and newborn son. He’s played for BLC most of his career but spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons in the WLA with the New Westminster Salmonbellies. He returned to the MSL last year and was named the league’s MVP after leading BLC to a second-place regular season finish with a combined GAA of 7.73.
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“I only live about 12 minutes from the arena, so it’s an easy commute. It’s a good historical organization. It’s been cool to have that exposure and growth between the three big organizations in the arena, the Gaels (minor), the Warriors (Jr. A) and now Brooklin, and I think that’s what makes it exciting. I know a lot of guys have done the same and it’s pretty cool playing with guys you’ve grown up with. Now, being the oldest guy on the team, it’s seeing a lot of these kids that are doing the same. I know [BLC is] competitive and it’s a good place to be.”
Brooklin just fell to third place in the seven-team league after a second loss to a surprisingly good Cobourg team. The top four teams at the end of July will make the playoffs. They play Wednesday nights at Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby, and for the first time, they’re playing on carpet. IPSC installed the Riptide’s old carpet over the cement floor this season.
“I didn’t know how much of a difference it was!” Higgins said. “Growing up I’ve always played on that cement, so it was what I knew and it was easy, but having this first year of turf it’s crazy how much nicer it is on my body. Playing all these games and being 34, I think that really helps, as does the AC in Brooklin too (installed post-COVID).”
Higgins says there are two things he’d like to accomplish before he calls it quits: win an NLL Cup and a Mann Cup.
“I’ve been trying my best to do the two and come close in both,” he revealed. “I know with Buffalo, being a backup, we lost in the final to Calgary 2019, so even just being a part of that team still stings that you didn’t get to win it. And then going to New West a couple of years ago and losing to Six Nations in the Mann Cup final there definitely, definitely still sings, and that’s kind of why I want to keep playing. It’s fun to have this ability to play lacrosse and I think the ultimate goal is to win. So that’s why I want to keep doing it.”
