Toninato’s season bumpy, yet memorable

Dominic Toninato’s season was filled with dramatic ups and downs, making it one of the most memorable of his eight-year professional career. 

Toninato was named the 12th captain of the Manitoba Moose, adding his name to a list that includes the likes of Scott Arniel, Dallas Eakins, and Mike Keane, whose number 12 hangs in the rafters of Canada Life Centre. He experienced the Winnipeg Jets’ unfathomable Game 7 victory over the St. Louis Blues. However, the Moose, with whom the 31-year-old spent most of his time, missed the post-season. 

In the disappointment of Manitoba’s early finish, Toninato finds ample room for growth in himself and a young group of prospects. Meanwhile, the positives tell something of a full-circle story. 

The Duluth, Minn. native is no stranger to taking on leadership roles with his teams. Toninato donned the captain’s “C” in high school and for his final collegiate campaign. In 2023-24, he was named an alternate captain with the Moose, before having the familiar “C” returned to his chest this past season.  

“(It was a) huge honour,” Toninato said. “I was thrilled to be named captain. The list of players who have worn the “C” for the Moose is pretty storied. There are a lot of great names on there. I’m just trying to follow in their footsteps and try to be the best leader I can.” 

Toninato’s wealth of experience became even more valuable with the Moose icing one of the youngest rosters in the AHL. He was tasked with leading a youthful group for the present and setting a standard that those players will remember for the rest of their careers. 

The season’s challenges left competitive spirits bruised, but those will heal, and the lessons learned will be important down the road. 

“I think it just shows you how hard the league is and how hard it is to make the playoffs,” Toninato added. “You can't take games for granted, and you can't take any periods off. You have to be ready to go every night and have to get as many points as you can every game.”  

A veteran of 189 NHL games, Toninato added a handful more to his tally during the regular season, but the highlight was undoubtedly his participation in the Jets’ post-season run. The Moose captain appeared in two playoff games with Winnipeg, including Game 7 against St. Louis. That put him in prime position to witness Cole Perfetti’s last-second, game-tying goal, and subsequently Adam Lowry’s winner in double overtime.  

“It was one of the most insane things I've ever been a part of,” Toninato explained. “Everyone's goal is to be in the NHL and be playing for the Stanley Cup, so it's a huge honour to be out there and helping the team. I've never heard anything as loud as the arena was when (Perfetti) scored that goal. It was so cool and so much fun to be a part of.” 

With a roller-coaster 2024-25 campaign behind him, Toninato can spend some time with his family, which grew in size recently with the birth of their second child. 

“There will be a lot of family time and seeing as many friends as possible,” he outlined. “Usually, we have pretty busy summers, but this year is a little more laid back. Still, have a couple of activities lined up. I’ll enjoy fatherhood again and being back with the family, soaking it all up, because it goes fast.”