Toninato played four years of collegiate hockey in his hometown at the University of Minnesota Duluth after he played one season of junior hockey in the USHL with the Fargo Force. He led the squad as a sophomore with 16 goals and then finished second in team scoring and tied for first on UMD with 15 markers during his junior year.
During his senior campaign as a member of the Bulldogs, Toninato served as team captain and led the school with a plus-25 rating. The forward helped Minnesota Duluth to its first-ever National Collegiate Hockey Conference title and then helped the school advance to the NCAA Frozen Four championship game. Toninato was selected to the NCHC All-Tournament Team and was named the league's best defensive forward, finishing with 29 blocked shots.
The 24-year-old talked about his years playing college hockey and his transition to the NHL with the Avalanche.
How long have you been playing hockey?
"I was on skates when I was 1 year old. My parents threw me on skates, and then I started playing on a team when I was around 5 and have been playing ever since."
How was your time while a member of the University of Minnesota Duluth hockey team?
"It was incredible. Just the group of guys we had every year, the staff we had, the facility, obviously the city. It was just a great experience and definitely helped make this a lot easier."
Do you think playing in high-stake games with the Bulldogs in college helped your game transition into the NHL?
"Yeah, for sure. We played a very tough schedule. We were always playing the top teams and the best competition. It was good to play at that high-quality level to prepare for this."
Do you still stay in touch and follow the team?
"Yes. I got some buddies on it still. I just had an old buddy come out here for the weekend, and we all went out and watched them during one of their regional games."
Had you ever been to Colorado before signing with the Avalanche?
"I had. We played DU (University of Denver) three of my four years at Duluth, and then we played CC (Colorado College) three of the four years, too."
How do you like living in Colorado on a more regular basis now?
"I love it. It's just a fantastic city. The mountains never get old, and the weather is awesome."
How has it been being part of such a young team here with the Avs?
"It's been a lot of fun, especially now. Just the atmospheres at the games have been crazy, you can tell the fans are into it. We have such a tight-knit bunch in here, it's fun to come to the rink every day. Everyone is playing for each other, and it's just a lot of fun."
What is your pregame routine like?
"I usually just do the same thing, just stretch, get ready for the game, play some sewer ball and take warmup."
What kind of music do you listen to?
"Country, rap and some hip-hop."
