Tomasino looks to take next big step
Sky is the limit for second-year IceDogs forward with NHL Draft on the horizon
Head coach Billy Burke says Philip Tomasino might have been the best player on the ice Friday night in Thorold.
Most in attendance would agree, and maybe go one step further.
Tomasino was definitely the best Niagara IceDog on the ice in the Dogs 1-0 loss to the Barrie Colts in the first of two “Community” games for the Ontario Hockey League team.
“Some of his moves through traffic, the whole bench was like whoa,” said Burke. “I think he was the best player on the ice tonight.
“Right off the top, his speed is elite in this league, he’s just an effortless skater. At the end of his shift he’s still fast. Some guys stride kind of breaks down when they’re tired, he’s not one of those guys.”
The 17-year-old Tomasino is coming off a five-goal, 24-point rookie season with the IceDogs, but after an off-season in which the Mississauga native added 10 solid pounds of muscle, the sky is the limit according to Burke.
“He looks like a special, special, player,” Burke said. “He’s ready to play big minutes in this league for sure. And he’s a leader. He has unbelievable character, and that’s what we’ve tried to build for two years now, and he fits that to an absolute tee. He wants to win, and I have a feeling we’ll win a lot of games and a big reason why will be him.”
“When the (last) season ended I kind of took a little rest, but after that I really stepped it up and started hitting the gym and definitely devoted my summer to that. I’m really looking forward to the season ahead, and hope it leads to something good,” Tomasino said.
That “something” may in fact be hearing his name called at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, but the always humble Tomasino feels the team’s success will lead to more scouts watching him during his sophomore season.
“My main goal is to win an
OHL Championship, and go to the Memorial Cup,” said Tomasino a five-foot-11, 180-pound forward who could play either at centre or on the wing.
That versatility is also an advantage for Burke, and is another factor scouts will notice.
“I think we’ll play him down the wing on a regular basis, but he showed tonight — his hands are so good — he’s a strong centre-man, and can win draws, so say he’s playing on a line with Akil (Thomas) to have two faceoff guys on a line certainly is a nice thing to have.”
Friday night Aidan Brown’s goal 52 seconds into the contest, on the Colts first shot, was the only goal of the game as Barrie goaltender Jet Greaves made 24
saves for the shutout.
The tandem of Jukka Schotter and Tucker Tynan combined for 25 stops for Niagara, as Tynan was perfect himself over the final 30 minutes.
The 16-year-old Tynan, an Illinois native, was signed by the IceDogs earlier in the day on Friday.
Dog Biscuits: Niagara was playing without any of its NHL drafted players Friday night as Akil Thomas, Ivan Lodnia, Kiril Maksimov and Ben Jones all watched the game from the stands …Goaltenders Stephen Dhillon and Colton Incze did not dress either. Incze was quick to point out a very interesting stat after the game. He said the Dogs had been shut out three straight seasons in Thorold, but even more interesting is the fact that he, Dhillon and now Schotter (on Friday) all allowed goals on their first shot faced of the game … Niagara also signed St. Catharines native A.J. Cook on Friday. The former Niagara North Star, played with the Ridley College Tigers last season … Barrie was essentially using its full, opening game lineup.