Rookie Rewind - Dominic Toninato
Aug 14, 2018
by Nick Hecht / ColoradoAvalanche.com / For more Avalanche news CLICK HERE
ColoradoAvalanche.com is profiling players who just completed their rookie seasons with the organization. This installment takes a look at forward Dominic Toninato.
Dominic Toninato got his first action of pro hockey in 2017-18 and was a key two-way player for the Colorado Avalanche.
After captaining the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to a second-place finish in the 2017 NCAA National Championship Tournament, the forward turned his attention to the NHL and inked a two-year, entry-level contract with the Avs as an unsigned college free agent last August.
Toninato decided to join a young Colorado squad that had a better opportunity for him to compete and play rather than sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team that drafted him in the fifth round (126th overall) in 2012.
"Just the opportunity. They're young, they're rebuilding, they have a really good core group of guys, and I'm looking to help out and fill those spots," explained Toninato to ColoradoAvalanche.com when asked why he chose the Avs.
The 24-year-old started the season in the American Hockey League with the San Antonio Rampage and made his mark early with the squad. In a win over the Texas Stars on Oct. 21, he scored his first and second professional goals. After 13 AHL games, the opportunity to play in the NHL became a reality on Nov. 18 at the Nashville Predators, one day after Toninato was called up to the Avalanche.
Toninato's first contest was memorable for several reasons, some of them funnier than others.
When the Avs went out for warmup, Toninato was tricked into leading the squad out of the locker room, but he soon found out he was the only one to actually take the ice--his teammates remained on the bench laughing. He brushed it off with a smile and played 10:20 in the contest before his night was cut short after being on the receiving end of a boarding penalty that sent him to the locker room banged up.
Despite the injury, Toninato was able to come back for his second game the next night. This time the outing went more smoothly, as the Duluth, Minnesota, native recorded his first assist in the team's overtime win at the Detroit Red Wings.
His first stint in the NHL lasted eight games, but he was recalled back with the Avalanche on Jan. 16 and played the remainder of the season with the NHL club.
"I'm feeling good," Toninato said about his second recall to Colorado. "I'm feeling more confident, and I think that goes a long way. I think it helps you play better, so I think the biggest thing is having that confidence.
"The opportunities will be there, so I'll just keep playing my game."
Toninato finished his first NHL season with an assist against the Philadelphia Flyers on 
March 28, the final game he played during the year--though he remained with the Avs through their postseason run. The center wrapped up his first pro campaign with two assists in 37 NHL games and 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 21 AHL outings for the Rampage.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward is more known for his two-way ability and physical presence then necessarily putting up a lot of points.
"I play a hard game. I like to go to those dirty areas, so I think having a bigger body helps with that. I just have to keep doing that and keep getting better every day," Toninato said.
He also made a mark in the community, as he was a contributor in January at the Avalanche's blind hockey clinic, which was part of the NHL's Hockey Is For Everyone initiative. Toninato helped visually-impaired athletes skate and learn the game at the event, and he even tried playing blind hockey by wearing a special mask to cover his eyes.
"I was fortunate enough to be a part of it, and it's a good way to kick off the next month of Hockey Is For Everyone," Toninato told Avalanche 360 of his experience playing hockey at the event. "It's been a lot of fun. It's been a cool experience. I'm happy I was able to be out here."
With his increased comfortability with the NHL's pace and style, Toninato will look to continue his development and keep contributing to the Avalanche.
