5'11" Birthday: September 16th 1989 Home: Winnipeg MB Position: G
Dustin Tokarski shows how one can make the most of an opportunity. He was NOT picked up in the WHL entry draft, and after tryouts was turned down by both Swift Current and Calgary. He finally ended playing for the Prince Albert Mintos of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. He solid play eventually got noticed by the Chiefs and he was listed by the Chiefs in December 2005. During his 06-07 rookie season in Spokane he ended up starting every playoff game for Spokane due to an illness to Chiefs' starting goalie Kevin Armstrong. Even though the Chiefs lost in the playoffs to Everett Tokarski kept the Chiefs in every game and showed he could handle the playoffs.
The 07-08 season was his breakout year. He split time with Armstrong in goal and helped the Chiefs win 30 of their 50 wins last season. He posted a 2.05 GAA and a .922 save percentage. Dustin's experience in the playoffs last season earned him the starting job for their historic playoff run to the Memorial Cup. In the Memorial Cup Tokarski earned MVP honors with an amazing 1.72 GAA and an unbelievable 52 save performance against host Kitchner to win the Memorial Cup. He was drafted bu the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round of the 2008 NHL draft.
Dustin Tokarski definitely has a future in the NHL. He is a little undersized for a goalie but he makes up for it with his skill and passion for playing the position. He has used the chip on his shoulder to become the best goalie in the WHL, and I look forward to seeing where is hockey career goes.
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