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DUSTIN TOKARSKI ‘GRATEFUL TO BE HERE’
Talk about making a strong first impression.
In his debut with the Wolves, veteran goaltender Dustin Tokarski made 29 saves—including stopping a breakaway chance on the first shot he faced—during Chicago’s 4-0 blanking of the Rockford IceHogs on Sunday at Allstate Arena.
Tokarski inked a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO) with the Wolves on Nov. 2 but didn’t join the club until recently while immigration paperwork was sorted out.
It was worth the wait.
“Immigration took a while to get settled and I was waiting and excited the whole time to get here,” said Tokarski, who was born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. “Now that I’m here, I’m excited to work hard and play every day and see what lies ahead.”
A fifth-round selection (No. 122 overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Tokarski has played in 80 NHL games with the Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. Last season, he appeared in 24 games with the AHL’s Rochester Americans with whom he went 11-9-3 with a 3.32 goals-against average and .890 save percentage.
Now the 35-year-old is the elder statesman of the Wolves, putting him in a leadership role—something Tokarski embraces.
“Obviously, I’ve played a few years so I’m absolutely hoping that I can chip in and do my part daily and be a veteran presence on and off the ice in practices and games and keep building something good here,” Tokarski said. “I’m grateful to be here. It seems like a great group of guys and coaching staff. I’m hoping I can help out any way I can.”
Tokarski is welcoming the opportunity to showcase his skills with an eye on a return to the NHL, but that is not something on which he is focusing.
“I’m just playing where my feet are right now,” he said with a grin.
For a look at Tokarski’s brilliant first save with the Wolves, see below for “Save of the Week.”
SHOOTING STARS
No team in the American Hockey League is better at limiting opponents’ shots on goal than the Wolves.
Through 12 games, the Wolves have allowed a league-low 298 shots and their 24.83 per contest ranks No. 1 in the AHL.
Wolves coach Cam Abbott said, “it’s not any…
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