Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/641682
MARCH.2016 // MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM 17 UMD Bulldog and Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Dom Toninato recalls how high profile the Elite League was, along with the many new friends he made. "Not only does it make you a better player but the exposure you get to scouts is unbeliev- able," said Toninato, a former Duluth East Greyhound. "What player anywhere in the country can say they play in front of that many pro, college and junior scouts every game? In the Elite League you get that every game. The league was a great opportunity to meet a bunch of new guys as well. I met quite a few guys that I am still friends with today." You don't have to leave your high school or your town early to get the best possible development opportunities. The Elite League allows high school players the opportunity to reach their full potential right here in our own backyard. ELITE LEAGUE ALUMNI "NOT ONLY DOES IT MAKE YOU A BETTER PLAYER BUT THE EXPOSURE YOU GET TO SCOUTS IS UNBELIEVABLE. WHAT PLAYER ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY CAN SAY THEY PLAY IN FRONT OF THAT MANY PRO, COLLEGE AND JUNIOR SCOUTS EVERY GAME? IN THE ELITE LEAGUE YOU GET THAT EVERY GAME." —DOM TONINATO, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS DRAFT PICK, UMD BULLDOG, DULUTH EAST HIGH SCHOOL Some of the many Elite League alumni selected in the NHL Entry Draft dating back to 2003. Zach Parise Joe Pavelski David Backes Matt Carle Blake Wheeler Drew Stafford Alex Stalock Matt Niskanen T.J. Oshie Sidney Crosby Kyle Okposo Jonathan Toews Ryan McDonagh Derek Stepan Jake Gardiner Erik Haula Anders Lee Ben Hanowski Jordan Schroeder Nick Leddy Brock Nelson Emerson Etem Nick Bjugstad Derek Forbort Mike Reilly Kyle Rau Mario Lucia Nick Seeler Tony Cameranesi Brady Skjei Brock Boeser Teddy Blueger Dominic Toninato Jake Bischoff Grant Besse Will Borgen Jake Guentzel Hudson Fasching Michael Brodzinski Jonny Brodzinski Tucker Poolman