In his two seasons with York United FC, Dominick Zator was a consistently standout presence.

Some particular on-field memories spring to mind, like that first goal for the club against Valour FC, when the looming shadow of Covid ensured the 2021 season began in a bubble environment in Winnipeg. By that stage - just his fourth game - he had already captained his new side, a reflection of the immediate leadership he brought to the locker room.

Fast forward to the following season and Zator excelled even more. He was an ever-present and only for some excruciating calf cramps during an away game against Pacific FC that forced him off for the final 14 minutes, he would have played every single second. Earlier in that game, he had shown his versatility by slotting in as an emergency left-back. Not only that, but he proved an excellent attacking outlet and proved it by whipping in a superb cross for Mo Babouli to equalize early in the second half. Somehow, he failed to score himself that day. His close-range header thundered back off the upright, only for Osaze De Rosario to bundle home the rebound. Later, he expertly flicked another header towards the near post, only for it to bounce down off the underside of the crossbar. Still, The Nine Stripes picked up three big points and Zator had proven crucial once again.

Go back even further to the beginning of the season and a home clash with Atletico Ottawa. Trailing 2-1, Zator popped up in the fourth minute of injury time to control an in-swinging free-kick. Under pressure, he managed to turn and drive a shot inside the near post for a last-gasp equalizer.

But despite those high-profile moments, it was really in the small details where Zator excelled. He would always remain on the field when training was finished, working on various drills. Ambidexterity was clearly a priority for him and it was a common occurrence to see Zator and Jordan Wilson - so often paired together as a central defensive duo in 2022 - working on their chemistry by pinging 25-yard passes to each other using their left foot and controlling with one touch. So, watching Zator play so effortlessly at left-back later in the season and serving up such impeccable deliveries from wide areas wasn't much of a shock to his team-mates and technical staff.

There was also the way he carried himself and represented the team. Prior to the Canadian Championship semi-final against Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in June of last year, the players trained at the stadium the previous day. The club had arranged for a local underage side - Coastal FC - to watch the training session and to chat to some of the players once everything had wrapped. Zator took it to the next level, grabbing a ball, arranging a circle and starting a game of two-touch. When he was well within his rights to be brief and focus on a high-profile fixture, Zator instead ensured a bunch of kids got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

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