Dominic Toninato Bio
Dominic Toninato is an American professional ice hockey player who plays forward for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He was selected in the fifth round, 126th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and began his professional career in 2017.
Early Life and Background
Dominic Toninato was born on March 9, 1994, in Duluth, Minnesota. He grew up in the Duluth area and played his high school hockey at Duluth East High School, where he emerged as a leading offensive and defensive presence for the Greyhounds.
During his senior season at Duluth East, Toninato served as team captain and produced a standout 61-point campaign, registering 27 goals and 34 assists in 25 games. His prep performance earned him recognition as a Mr. Hockey Award finalist and a place on the All-State second team.
Path to Hockey
Following his senior year at Duluth East, Toninato joined the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League, having been selected by the club in the 2011 USHL Entry Draft. He established himself as a two-way prospect in the USHL and attracted NHL attention ahead of the 2012 draft.
Toninato returned to Fargo for the 2012–13 season and finished among the league scoring leaders with 70 points in 64 regular-season games. He added six playoff points as the Force advanced to the Clark Cup finals and was named to the USHL Second All-Star Team, reinforcing his status as a well-rounded forward suited for collegiate hockey.
Dominic Toninato Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Toninato committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth and began his collegiate career in 2013–14, contributing seven goals and 15 points as a freshman. He increased his offensive output as a sophomore, recording 16 goals and 26 points in 2014–15 and continuing to develop his defensive game.
In his junior season Toninato scored 15 goals and 21 points in 40 games and accepted a leadership role by returning for his senior year as captain. He completed his senior season in 2016–17 with 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in 42 games, led the Bulldogs with a +25 plus/minus rating, and helped Minnesota-Duluth capture the program’s first NCHC regular-season title.
Colorado Avalanche Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Although drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2012, Toninato was not offered an entry-level contract by Toronto after his college career and his rights were relinquished in August 2017. As a free agent he signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche on August 17, 2017.
Assigned to the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League to begin the 2017–18 season, Toninato made his professional debut on October 7, 2017, and scored his first two professional goals on October 21, 2017. He earned his first NHL recall on November 17, 2017, and made his NHL debut for the Avalanche on November 18, 2017.
Toninato recorded his first NHL goal on February 14, 2019, in Colorado’s 4–1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. His time with the Avalanche organization established him as a depth NHL forward able to play a responsible two-way role at the top level.
Florida Panthers Tenure (2019–2020)
On June 29, 2019, Toninato was traded by the Avalanche to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jacob MacDonald. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with Florida on July 15, 2019, and began the 2019–20 season with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL before earning recalls to the NHL roster.
With the Panthers he served as a depth forward, appearing in NHL games and contributing defensively while recording a career-high four goals and 11 points in 46 games during the 2019–20 season. He made his postseason debut after the season pause and played in three playoff contests during Florida’s campaign.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2020–2025)
Toninato signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets on October 10, 2020. Over five seasons within the Jets organization he continued to work in a depth role at the NHL level and provided experienced two-way play between the NHL roster and the Jets’ AHL affiliates.
His time in Winnipeg reinforced his reputation as a dependable bottom-six forward who brings physical play, defensive discipline, and occasional secondary scoring. After multiple seasons with the Jets organization, he entered free agency in 2025.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2025–Present)
On July 1, 2025, Toninato signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Chicago Blackhawks that runs through 2027. The agreement marks a new chapter in his professional career and positions him to compete for a role with Chicago’s NHL roster while providing organizational depth.
Chicago acquired an experienced depth forward in Toninato, whose professional resume includes NHL appearances, playoff experience, and a track record of steady two-way play. The Blackhawks project him as a veteran presence who can stabilize checking lines and contribute in multiple situations.
Driving Style and Strengths
Toninato is known as a two-way forward with strong defensive instincts and a team-first approach. He combines physical play with positional awareness, competes effectively on board battles, and has been recognized for his reliable plus/minus results at the collegiate level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments in Toninato’s career include his high school captaincy and Mr. Hockey finalist status, a 70-point USHL season and selection to the USHL Second All-Star Team, leading Minnesota-Duluth to the NCHC title, his NHL debut for the Colorado Avalanche in November 2017, and his first NHL goal in February 2019.
Dominic Toninato Career Wins
Across junior, collegiate, and professional levels Toninato has accumulated several verified milestone performances: a dominant prep season at Duluth East, a top scoring season in the USHL, NCHC championship success with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, individual NCHC tournament and defensive forward honors, and multiple NHL appearances with his first goal coming in 2019.
College and Junior Highlights
At Duluth East High School Toninato scored 61 points in 25 games as a senior and earned Mr. Hockey finalist status and All-State second-team honors. With the Fargo Force he posted 70 points in 64 games in 2012–13, tied for eighth in USHL scoring, helped the Force reach the Clark Cup finals, and was named to the USHL Second All-Star Team.
At the University of Minnesota-Duluth he helped the Bulldogs to their first NCHC title in 2016–17, was selected to the NCHC All-Tournament Team, and was honored as the league’s top Defensive Forward for his senior-season play and leadership as captain.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Professionally, Toninato made his AHL debut with the San Antonio Rampage in October 2017 and scored his first two professional goals later that month. His NHL milestones include a debut with the Colorado Avalanche in November 2017 and a first NHL goal on February 14, 2019.
Dominic Toninato Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Toninato comes from a hockey family: his father, Jim Toninato, played collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 1982 to 1986, recording 54 points in 155 games across four seasons. The family connection to UMD influenced Dominic’s collegiate choice and development.
Personal Life
Toninato majored in Human Resources Management while attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Public details about his private life, including marital status and children, are not listed in the verified record provided here.
2025 Season Performance
Toninato entered the 2025 season after signing a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, beginning a new stint aimed at competing for NHL minutes and supplying experienced depth. The contract runs from 2025 to 2027 and positions him as a veteran option for Chicago’s bottom-six forward group.
Given his history as a dependable two-way and depth forward—illustrated by his four-goal, 11-point season with the Florida Panthers and prior NHL experience—Toninato projects to be a stabilizing presence on checking lines. Chicago will evaluate his role across training camp and the early season as the team integrates him into their lineup and special teams planning.