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Tyler Toffoli

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Tyler Toffoli
Tyler Toffoli (26324815090).jpg
Toffoli with the Los Angeles Kings in April 2016
Born (1992-04-24) April 24, 1992 (age 32)
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams
San Jose Sharks
Los Angeles Kings
Vancouver Canucks
Montreal Canadiens
Calgary Flames
New Jersey Devils
Winnipeg Jets
National team  Canada
NHL draft 47th overall, 2010
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2011–present

Tyler Toffoli (/təˈfl/ tə-FOH-lee; born April 24, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger and alternate captain for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 47th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2010 NHL entry draft and won the Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2014. Since his trade from the Kings in 2020, Toffoli has also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Vancouver Canucks.

Early life

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Toffoli was born in Scarborough, Ontario, to Rob and Mandy Toffoli; he has two older sisters Megan and Courtney.[1] His father Rob was also involved in hockey and was the general manager of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens while Toffoli played with them.[2] Growing up, Toffoli attended Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute in Toronto (into which Scarborough had amalgamated in 1998) and Hillcrest High School in Ottawa.

Playing career

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Major junior

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Toffoli was drafted seventh overall by the Ottawa 67's in the 2008 OHL draft.[3] At the conclusion of his rookie season, Toffoli was named to the First All-Rookie Team.[4]

In 2010, Toffoli was drafted 169th overall by Traktor Chelyabinsk in the 2010 KHL draft but chose to stay in the OHL.[5] He was later drafted 47th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2010 NHL entry draft.[6]

Toffoli signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Kings on April 19, 2011.[7] He played that season with the 67's before joining the Manchester Monarchs in the American Hockey League to begin his professional career.

Los Angeles Kings

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On March 16, 2013, Toffoli made his NHL debut in a 5–2 win over the San Jose Sharks.[8] Toffoli scored his first career NHL goal on goaltender Mike Smith in his second NHL game in a 4–0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on March 18, 2013.[9] On April 12, 2013, Toffoli was named the recipient of the AHL's Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award for rookie of the year in the 2012–13 season. He scored 28 goals and 20 assists (48 points) in 55 AHL games for Manchester during the season, and upon the announcement, Toffoli led all rookies in goals, short-handed goals (3) and plus-minus (+20).[10]

Toffoli (background) with Jeff Carter during a Kings game in February 2019.

On May 8, 2013, Toffoli made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the St. Louis Blues, replacing scratched Keaton Ellerby in the Kings' lineup.[11]

To begin the 2013–14 season, the Kings assigned Toffoli to their AHL team in Manchester.[12] On November 9, in his third game since being recalled to the NHL with Manchester linemate Linden Vey, Toffoli scored two goals and one assist in Los Angeles' 5–1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, the first three-point game of his NHL career.[13] Toffoli then contributed another two-goal performance, including the eventual game-winner, against the St. Louis Blues, on December 2 in a 3–2 Kings victory. The game-winning goal marked his fourth in 14 games since he had been recalled from the Monarchs.[14] Toffoli was a key contributor in the playoffs and would go on the win the Stanley Cup, assisting on Alec Martinez's Stanley Cup winning goal in 2OT of Game 5.

In the 2014–15 season, Toffoli played a majority of the season with Jeff Carter and Tanner Pearson on a line dubbed "That 70s Line" because all three wore numbers in the 70s. During the 2014–15 season, on January 9, 2015, Toffoli was diagnosed with mononucleosis, forcing him to miss six games before rejoining the lineup on January 31 against the Chicago Blackhawks.[15] He scored his first career NHL hat-trick on February 12 in the Kings' 5–2 victory over the Calgary Flames.[16]

During the 2016–17 season, Toffoli suffered a left knee injury, forcing him to miss 19 games. He underwent successful surgery on April 25.[17] On June 7, 2017, the Kings signed Toffoli to a three-year, $13.8 million extension, with an annual average of $4.6 million.[18]

On February 15, 2020, Toffoli became the first player in league history to record a hat-trick in an outdoor game when the Kings defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3–1 during the 2020 NHL Stadium Series. The game was played at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[19]

Vancouver Canucks

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However, 2 days later, Toffoli was traded by the Kings to the Vancouver Canucks on February 17, 2020, in exchange for Tim Schaller, Tyler Madden, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2022 conditional pick.[20] Toffoli found success on the Canucks' top line alongside J. T. Miller and Elias Pettersson, putting up 10 points in 10 games, including six goals. When the NHL season resumed for the playoffs, Toffoli would suffer a high-ankle sprain in Game 1 of the qualifying series against the Minnesota Wild.[21] He wouldn't return to the lineup until August 25, 2020, in time for Game 2 of the second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Toffoli contributed a goal and two assists in his return to the lineup as the Canucks tied the series.[22] However, he had just one goal the rest of the series as the Canucks bowed out in seven games. Despite the Canucks having traded for Toffoli, the team's general manager, Jim Benning, did not attempt to re-sign him.[23]

Montreal Canadiens

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On October 12, 2020, Toffoli signed a four-year, $17 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens.[24] In his first game against the Canucks on January 20, Toffoli recorded a hat-trick in a 6–5 shootout loss for the Canadiens.[25] Toffoli managed 28 goals and 16 assists in 52 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, the seventh-best goal tally for a player in the NHL that season. He continued to enjoy success during the Canadiens' deep run during the playoffs, notably scoring the series-winning goal in the team's second round against the Winnipeg Jets.[26] Toffoli played in his second Stanley Cup Finals, though he was struggling with a groin injury by the end of the playoffs and did not register any points in his final six games.[27]

While the Canadiens had a historically poor start to the 2021–22 season, Toffoli recorded five goals and 12 assists in his first 26 games, jockeying for the overall points lead with Nick Suzuki. On December 11, it was announced that Toffoli had undergone hand surgery and was expected to miss eight weeks.[28] However, due to a faster than expected recovery, Toffoli returned only a month later, managing a goal and an assist in a 5–3 victory over the Dallas Stars. With the team under the new management of Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes, there was increasing speculation Toffoli would soon be traded as part of a rebuild. Speaking on the subject, Toffoli said, "I've been traded before and I know better not to get caught up in the rumours. Whatever direction they feel they want to go in, I want to be part of it."[29] Following his subsequent trade, teammate Nick Suzuki commented "it's tough to lose a good friend and good teammate."[30]

Calgary Flames

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Toffoli in his second season with the Flames in December 2022.

On February 14, 2022, Toffoli was traded to the Calgary Flames for Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman, a first-round pick in 2022, and a fifth-round pick in 2023.[31] The trade reunited him with former Kings coach Darryl Sutter and past teammates Trevor Lewis, Milan Lucic, Sean Monahan, Christopher Tanev and Jacob Markström.[32] Making his Flames debut on February 15, he scored his first goal with the team that night in a 6–2 rout of the Columbus Blue Jackets.[33] Toffoli scored seven goals in his first ten games with the team, but by the end of the regular season was on a pronounced scoring drought.[34] The Flames won the Pacific Division, and advanced into the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs to meet the Dallas Stars in the first round.[35] Toffoli's scoring drought extended into the postseason, recording only a secondary assist in the first six games of the series, stymied by a stellar performance by Stars netminder Jake Oettinger. In Game 7, Toffoli scored his first goal of the postseason, ending a 16-game goalless streak, helping the Flames win the series.[36] The Flames drew the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, the first playoff "Battle of Alberta" in 31 years.[37] The Flames were defeated by the Oilers in five games, bringing the playoff run to an end.[38]

The offseason brought major changes for the Flames organization, with the departures of star wingers Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. As a result, Toffoli was moved onto the team's top line alongside Elias Lindholm and newcomer Jonathan Huberdeau. He called it "a great opportunity."[39] On December 7, 2022, Toffoli scored his 200th career NHL goal in a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes,[40] Toffoli hit new career highs in goals (34) and points (73) for the season while leading the Flames in scoring. He was widely cited as a highlight of what was otherwise a disappointing year for the team, culminating in them failing to qualify for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.[41][42]

Following the disappointing season, the Flames organization saw significant changes in its staff, with both general manager Brad Treliving and coach Sutter departing. By late June it was reported that several players, including Lindholm, Mikael Backlund, and Noah Hanifin, had indicated they would be unlikely to re-sign with the team following the expiration of their contracts.[43] On June 22, it was reported in the media that Toffoli had also requested to be traded.[44][45]

New Jersey Devils

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Toffoli in action with the Devils against the Seattle Kraken in December 2023.

On June 27, 2023, the Flames traded Toffoli to the New Jersey Devils, in exchange for Yegor Sharangovich and a 2023 third-round draft pick.[46] Toffoli played 61 games for the Devils, recording 26 goals and 18 assists for 44 points.[47]

Winnipeg Jets

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On March 8, 2024, Toffoli was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick.[47][48] On March 15, 2024, Toffoli scored his first two goals as a Winnipeg Jet in a 6–0 Jets win against the visiting Anaheim Ducks. He would later add two more goals and an assist (his first as a Jet) two days later in a 6–1 Jets victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

San Jose Sharks

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On July 1, 2024, Toffoli joined his seventh NHL club, after he signed as a free agent to a four-year, $24 million contract with the San Jose Sharks.[49]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Czech Republic
Gold medal – first place 2023 Finland/Latvia

Following the Kings not qualifying for the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, Toffoli made his first international appearance with Team Canada, participating in the 2015 IIHF World Championship and winning the gold medal. Eight years later, after the Flames similarly missed the playoffs, Toffoli accepted an invitation to play at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. He was named the team captain, leading the team to the gold medal.[50]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08 Toronto Jr. Canadiens OPJHL 2 2 0 2 0
2008–09 Ottawa 67's OHL 54 17 29 46 16 7 2 6 8 4
2009–10 Ottawa 67's OHL 65 37 42 79 54 12 7 6 13 10
2010–11 Ottawa 67's OHL 68 57 51 108 33 4 3 5 8 4
2010–11 Manchester Monarchs AHL 1 0 1 1 0 5 1 0 1 6
2011–12 Ottawa 67's OHL 65 52 48 100 22 18 11 7 18 21
2012–13 Manchester Monarchs AHL 58 28 23 51 18
2012–13 Los Angeles Kings NHL 10 2 3 5 2 12 2 4 6 0
2013–14 Manchester Monarchs AHL 18 15 8 23 4
2013–14 Los Angeles Kings NHL 62 12 17 29 10 26 7 7 14 10
2014–15 Los Angeles Kings NHL 76 23 26 49 37
2015–16 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 31 27 58 20 5 0 1 1 2
2016–17 Los Angeles Kings NHL 63 16 18 34 22
2017–18 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 24 23 47 16 4 0 0 0 0
2018–19 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 13 21 34 23
2019–20 Los Angeles Kings NHL 58 18 16 34 16
2019–20 Vancouver Canucks NHL 10 6 4 10 4 7 2 2 4 0
2020–21 Montreal Canadiens NHL 52 28 16 44 24 22 5 9 14 6
2021–22 Montreal Canadiens NHL 37 9 17 26 4
2021–22 Calgary Flames NHL 37 11 12 23 10 12 2 3 5 6
2022–23 Calgary Flames NHL 82 34 39 73 28
2023–24 New Jersey Devils NHL 61 26 18 44 12
2023–24 Winnipeg Jets NHL 18 7 4 11 2 5 2 0 2 0
NHL totals 812 260 261 521 230 93 20 26 46 24

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2009 Canada Ontario U17 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 4 5 9 6
2015 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 2 3 5 2
2023 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 3 3 6 2
Junior totals 6 4 5 9 6
Senior totals 20 5 6 11 4

Awards and honours

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Toffoli during a game with the Kings in 2013.
Award Year Ref
OHL
First All-Rookie Team 2009
CHL Top Prospects Game 2010
All-Star Game 2010
First All-Star Team 2011, 2012
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy 2011 [51]
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy 2011, 2012 [51]
AHL
All-Star Game 2013
All-Rookie Team 2013
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award 2013 [52]
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2014

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Get To Know Tyler Toffoli". NHL.com. June 4, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  2. ^ Kalchman, Lois (June 28, 2013). "GTHL grads played key role in Stanley Cup final". Toronto Star. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  3. ^ "Toffoli enjoying the start of his OHL career". ontariohockeyleague.com. October 2, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  4. ^ "OHL announces Rookie of the Year". guelphstorm.com. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "Future weighs heavy on 67's Toffoli". ottawa67s.com. June 20, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  6. ^ "Kings Pick Four; Make Three Deals". NHL.com. June 26, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  7. ^ "67's' Tyler Toffoli Signs Three-Year Entry-Level Contract with Kings". ottawa67s.com. April 19, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  8. ^ "Clifford scores two goals as Kings sink San Jose". cbssports.com. March 17, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2018. The game marked the NHL debut of Tyler Toffoli, a second-round pick by the Kings in 2010
  9. ^ "Kings blank struggling Coyotes". National Hockey League. March 18, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  10. ^ AHL (April 12, 2013). "Toffoli named AHL Rookie of the Year". AHL. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  11. ^ Associated Press (May 9, 2013). "Kings beat Blues on Slava Voynov's weak shot in overtime". ESPN. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  12. ^ Associated Press (September 29, 2013). "Kings send Toffoli to AHL, release G Garon". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  13. ^ Associated Press (November 10, 2013). "Toffoli scores 2, leads Kings in rout of Canucks". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  14. ^ Associated Press (December 3, 2013). "Toffoli scores twice as Kings hold off Blues". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  15. ^ Dillman, Lisa (January 28, 2015). "Kings hoping for a spark with Tyler Toffoli's return to lineup". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  16. ^ Dillman, Lisa (February 12, 2015). "Tyler Toffoli's three goals do the trick in Kings' 5–3 win over Flames". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  17. ^ "Kings' Tyler Toffoli: Undergoes knee surgery". April 25, 2017.
  18. ^ "Tyler Toffoli agrees to three-year contract extension with Kings". sportsnet.ca. June 7, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  19. ^ "Tyler Toffoli's hat trick rockets Kings over Avalanche at Air Force Academy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  20. ^ "Toffoli traded to Canucks by Kings". NHL.com. February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  21. ^ "Toffoli out for Canucks in Game 1 of Western First Round against Blues". NHL.com. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  22. ^ Bennett, Dean (August 26, 2020). "Tyler Toffoli scores 9 seconds into return to lead Canucks past Golden Knights". CBC Sports. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  23. ^ Wagner, Daniel (June 8, 2021). "Tyler Toffoli keeps twisting the knife with his playoff performance for the Canadiens". vancouverisawesome.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  24. ^ "Canadiens agree to terms on a four-year contract with Tyler Toffoli". Montreal Canadiens. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  25. ^ Karstens-Smith, Gemma (January 21, 2020). "Canucks overcome Tyler Toffoli hat trick, late deficit to down Canadiens in shootout". cbc.ca. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  26. ^ Mendelsohn, Sam (June 12, 2021). "Tyler Toffoli's Impact on the Montreal Canadiens". A Winning Habit. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  27. ^ "Canadiens' Tyler Toffoli: Dealt with groin injury". CBS Sports. July 7, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  28. ^ Cowan, Stu (December 11, 2021). "Canadiens' Tyler Toffoli is out for eight weeks after hand surgery". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  29. ^ Hickey, Pat (January 19, 2022). "In the Habs' room: 'We're here to play hockey and show up for work every day'". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  30. ^ Cowan, Stu (February 15, 2022). "Toffoli trade is first piece of Canadiens' rebuild puzzle". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  31. ^ "Toffoli traded to Flames by Canadiens". Montreal Canadiens. February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  32. ^ Gilbertson, Wes (February 14, 2022). "Flames trade pick-up Toffoli excited to be reunited with Sutter, numerous pals in Calgary". Calgary Sun. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  33. ^ "Tyler Toffoli scores in Flames debut as Calgary beats Blue Jackets". Sportsnet. February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  34. ^ Pankiw, Colton (April 29, 2022). "Flames Have Reason to Believe Slumping Toffoli Will Get Back on Track". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  35. ^ Luszczyszyn, Dom; Goldman, Shayna (May 1, 2022). "2022 NHL playoff preview: Flames vs. Stars". The Athletic. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  36. ^ Cowan, Stu (May 16, 2022). "Canadiens dealt ahead of deadline thriving with new teams". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  37. ^ Boylen, Rory (May 16, 2022). "Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Preview: Flames vs. Oilers". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  38. ^ Spector, Mark (May 27, 2022). "Oilers' stars shine bright — and extinguish Flames in the process". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  39. ^ Saelhof, Todd (September 27, 2022). "Tyler Toffoli gets top-line trigger chance for Flames". Calgary Sun. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  40. ^ Dusterberg, Kurt (November 26, 2022). "Hurricanes edge Flames to end five-game skid". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  41. ^ McKenzie, Julian (March 17, 2023). "Flames' Tyler Toffoli has been bright spot amid team's uneven season". The Athletic. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  42. ^ Spencer, Donna (April 14, 2023). "Calgary Flames head into the off-season lamenting lack of finish". Global News. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  43. ^ "Report: Calgary Flames facing departures of Backlund, Lindholm and Hanifin". Sportsnet. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  44. ^ "Flames make Tyler Toffoli available for trade". Sportsnet. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  45. ^ "Flames veteran Toffoli looking for trade out of Calgary". The Sports Network. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  46. ^ "Flames trade Tyler Toffoli to Devils for Sharangovich, third-round pick". Sportsnet. June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  47. ^ a b "Jets acquire Toffoli from Devils". NHL.com. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  48. ^ "Jets acquire Toffoli from Devils for draft picks". TSN.ca. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  49. ^ "Sharks sign forward Tyler Toffoli". NHL.com. San Jose Sharks. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  50. ^ Gilbertson, Wes (May 9, 2023). "Tyler Toffoli named Canada's captain for world championship". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  51. ^ a b "OHL Announces Four Annual Award Winners". oursportscentral.com. March 21, 2011.
  52. ^ "Toffoli named AHL Rookie of the Year". American Hockey League. May 1, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
[edit]
Awards
Preceded by AHL Rookie of the Year
2012–13
Succeeded by