An Unexpected Playoff Starter: Stunning New Montreal Addition!

[IrbeFan4Life]

Here we are, back again with another new and exciting piece for the Bruce C. Goaltending Museum. Don't forget to "LIKE" us on FB, "FOLLOW" us on Twitter, maybe even subscribe to us on Youtube...complete the holy trifecta.

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Born on September 16, 1989 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan in Canada, Dustin Tokarski was an excellent starting goaltender emerging out of the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning 122nd overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft after winning the Memorial Cup with Spokane that year. The next season, on top of beating all of his previous best WHL numbers, Tokarski also helped lead Canada to a World Junior Gold Medal. The next season (2009-10), he transitioned to the professional ranks, joining the Norfolk Admirals in the AHL. Showing strong numbers for a rookie, Tokarski was recalled by the Lightning in January of 2010. On January 16, 2010, he made his NHL debut when he relieved Antero Niittymaki in net and stopped all 5 shots faced in the team's 5-2 loss. He appeared in two games that season, both relief efforts. Tokarski continued his strong play with Norfolk the following season, however, earned no additional call-ups to the NHL. 2011-12 was a good year for him. On top of great numbers in the AHL, Tokarski was recalled by Tampa in March 2012 and got five starts, though he only recorded a 1-3-1 record in that span. When sent back to the minors, he led Norfolk to the AHL Championship (the Calder Cup). The following season, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Cedrick Desjardins in February 2013. Serving as the #3 goalie with the Habs, Tokarski was eventually thrown into the reactor. After Carey Price went down with injury in the Conference Finals against the Rangers, and after Peter Budaj failed to impress in his single period of relief, it was all on Tokarski. Though the Habs were defeated in six games and the Rangers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, Tokarski most definitely could not be blamed as he recorded a 2-3 record with a 2.60GAA and a 0.916% save average, pretty impressive considering he was thrown into that high pressure situation. After the season ended, Peter Budaj was let go via free agency and Tokarski became the full time back-up to Carey Price. He had a decent season, appearing in 17 games. The following season, he began the year with Montreal, however, after a strong showing from fellow rookie Mike Condon, Tokarski was placed on waivers and then traded to Anaheim. Pretty much relegated to the AHL from that point on, Tokarski made one additional NHL appearance with Anaheim in 2016-17, a 10 minute relief effort, stopping all five shots that he faced. Tokarski was traded to the Flyers in 2017-18, and then he was signed by the New York Rangers as a free agent. With the Rangers, he did earn one four game call-up in December, however, did not get to play any games. When sent to the Charlotte Checkers on loan, Tokarski was the definition of perfection. He recorded a 7-0-0 record with them in the regular season, then recorded a 5-0 record with them in the playoffs en route to them winning the Calder Cup, the second one in Tokarski's career. In 2019-20, he was signed by Wilkes-Barre in the AHL and he continues he strong play with a GAA under 2.00.

As he is still young and posts very strong numbers in the AHL, the chance of an NHL comeback for him is not off the table, so career numbers will not be posted at this time.

What you are looking at right now is a 2013/14 to 2014/15 season game used CCM Extreme Flex Pro glove used by Dustin Tokarski while with the Montreal Canadiens. Using this glove, he made his playoff debut and also played five games in the Conference Final against the Rangers. On top of that, he maintained use of this glove into the next season finally retiring it on November 23, 2014. Wear is fantastic and highlights some of the best times of his NHL career thus far.

Acquired from: Private collector Tyler McDermott

Dates of Game Use:
May 19, 2014 v Rangers (27-30, 3-1L)
May 22, 2014 v Rangers (35-37, 3-2W)
May 25, 2014 v Rangers (26-29, OTL)
May 27, 2014 v Rangers (23-27, 7-4W)
May 29, 2014 v Rangers (31-32, 1-0L)
Oct. 9, 2014 v Capitals (29-30, 2-1W)
Oct. 13, 2014 v Lightning (15-18, 7-1)
Oct. 27, 2014 v Oilers (16-18, 3-0L)
Nov. 5, 2014 v Sabres (31-32, 2-1W)
Nov. 16, 2014 v Red Wings (28-29, 4-1W)
Nov. 23, 2014 v Rangers (29-34, 5-0L)

Photomatched: YES





Pieces of game worn Habs jersey still stuck in the velcro haha


And the accompanying Youtube video:

[creasecollector]

Great wear on this glove! Tokarski was a great story. I hope he gets another call-up to the NHL.