Dustin Tokarski

Dustin Michael Tokarski (born September 16, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL).

He was born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, but grew up in neighbouring

Watson, which he considers his hometown.

Tokarski played midget for the Prince Albert Mintos and led the team to capture the Telus Cup, Canada's midget hockey championship in 2006.

Tokarski had three shutouts and a 1.98 goals against average (GAA) for the Mintos.

He was added to the protected list of the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Spokane Chiefs in December.

He played a combined 30 games in his first season with Spokane, posting a record of 13 wins, 11 losses and 2 overtime losses.

Tokarski then took over as the Chiefs' starting goaltender in 2007–08.

He played every game for the Chiefs in the playoffs, leading them to the Ed Chynoweth Cup by conceding just 31 goals in 21 playoff games.

Tokarski led the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL) to the 2008 Memorial Cup and was named the top goaltender and most valuable player of the tournament.

He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round, 122nd overall, at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The Chiefs' title earned them a berth in the 2008 Memorial Cup, Canada's national junior championship.

With Tokarski in net, Spokane won all three games in the round robin to earn a berth in the championship game.

Tokarski made 53 saves in the final as Spokane defeated the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Kitchener Rangers to claim the Chiefs' second Memorial Cup championship in franchise history.

His performance earned him the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the tournament's outstanding goaltender, and the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player.

Tokarski was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Tokarski then backstopped Canada to their fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Tokarski made the transition to professional hockey during the 2009–10 season, primarily playing for the Lightning's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals.

In 55 games for the Admirals, Tokarski amassed a 27–25–3 record.

He made his NHL debut on January 19, 2010, against the New York Rangers, replacing Antero Niittymäki in the third period after the latter had surrendered six goals.

He has won the American Hockey League's (AHL) Calder Cup twice: first with the Norfolk Admirals in 2012, and then with the Charlotte Checkers in 2019.

Tokarski made his first NHL start on March 8, 2012, against the Washington Capitals.

He had 29 saves on 32 shots and let three pucks by for a 3–2 Lightning overtime loss.

He and the Admirals would eventually go on to win the Calder Cup as AHL champions.

On February 14, 2013, Tokarski was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for goaltender Cédrick Desjardins.

On March 5, 2014, Tokarski played his first game with Montreal, a 4–3 shootout victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

On March 16, he recorded his first NHL shutout in a 2–0 win over the Buffalo Sabres, stopping all 29 of Buffalo's shots.

On 19 May, it was announced Tokarski would be starting in place of Montreal's Carey Price due to a suspected sprained knee Price sustained against the New York Rangers.

He started Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Rangers but stumbled in his first playoff game with a 3–1 loss.

He remained solid in the third period but the Canadiens had problems getting goal scoring.

In Game 3, Tokarski made 35 saves on 37 shots to help the Canadiens win 3–2 in overtime, cutting the Rangers' series lead to 2–1.

In Game 4, he played well and had a good chance to have a win but lost in overtime, 3–2.

In Game 5, he then led the team to a 7–4 win, staving off elimination and reducing the Rangers' lead to 3–2 in the series.

In Game 6, he stopped 31 shots on 32 shots to give his team a chance to win.

Although the Canadiens lost the series 4–2 against New York, Tokarski's performance earned high praises.

Following the conclusion of the Canadiens' 2014–15 pre-season, goaltender Peter Budaj was traded to the Winnipeg Jets on October 6, 2014, effectively leaving Tokarski as Carey Price's backup for the regular season.

At the beginning of the 2015–16 season, on October 5, 2015, Tokarski was placed on waivers, ending his tenure as backup goaltender for the NHL club.

After fellow Canadiens' prospect Mike Condon had a strong showing in training camp, the team took him over Tokarski.

On January 7, 2016, Tokarski was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Max Friberg.

His lone appearance for the Ducks came on October 28, 2016, where he stopped all five shots faced in relief during a 4–0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.