Campbell River defenceman & BCHL veteran Toneff commits to Selkirk

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The Selkirk College Men's Hockey program is pleased to announce a playing commitment from defenceman Curtis Toneff (Nanaimo, B.C.) to attend Selkirk College and compete for the Saints beginning in the 2014/15 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

Toneff is a 6-foot-2, 180 pound blueliner who is currently completing his final season of junior hockey eligibility with the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s Campbell River Storm. Toneff joined the Storm in January and has scored twice while adding seven assists in 15 regular season games.

The 20-year old is also a veteran of three Junior A seasons and began the 2013/14 campaign in the West Kootenays with the Trail Smoke Eaters, picking up 13 points in 24 games before stints with Spruce Grove and Sherwood Park in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He spent much of the 2011/12 season in the BCHL with the West Kelowna Warriors.

Overall, Toneff has scored nine goals and picked up 47 assists in 148 Junior A contests and totaled another 22 points in 51 Junior B games.

"Curtis is an excellent skater who plays a strong two-way game," says Saints head coach Jeff Dubois.

"He's shown an ability to contribute offensively and be effective on the power-play, but he's also very strong defensively and likes to get involved physically. His mobility and puck-moving will fit right in with our style of play, and I think he has all the tools to be an impact player at our level."

Once at Selkirk, Toneff plans to work towards his Associate Degree in Psychology.

"I've heard nothing but positive things about the academic and hockey experiences at Selkirk College and I'm looking forward to the new challenge of mixing hockey with my schooling," says Toneff, who describes himself as a two-way defenceman who plays with an edge and can adapt to any role.

"My goal is to help the Saints continue their winning tradition and log some big minutes as a first year player. I'm familiar with the West Kootenays from my time in Trail and I'm excited to be heading back to a beautiful part of B.C."

In Campbell River, Toneff has provided a veteran presence for a Storm team that is challenging for the team's first VIJHL Championship since the 2003/04 season.

"Curtis has brought invaluable leadership and experience to our back-end since joining the Storm family in January," says Campbell River head coach Lee Stone.

"He brings a love for the game to the arena every day and that’s been contagious with our younger players. I look forward to watching Curtis continue his hockey career at Selkirk College, where I expect he'll represent the Saints exceptionally well on and off the ice."

The Saints next game is on Saturday, February 22nd when they host Simon Fraser University at the Castlegar Recreation Complex. Faceoff is set for 7:30 PM.