By Warren Kozireski —
The New York Islanders selected Quinnipiac defenseman Devon (pronounced “da-von”) Toews in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and, based on the past two years, they may have found a diamond.
Named to the ECAC All-League Second Team this past season after he led all conference defenseman in points per game, power play assists, power play points and plus/minus (+30–the only defenseman at +20 or higher), Toews helped the Bobcats win the Cleary and Whitelaw Cups as regular season and playoff champs in the ECAC as well as the number one ranking in the country.
They advanced all the way to the Frozen Four in Tampa where they find themselves in the championship game after defeating Boston College in the semis.
“It’s a pretty cool experience coming here and being the one seed, getting the locker room (the top seed is using the home NHL locker room of the Lightning), seeing what it’s like and the facilities.
“I feel like I’ve had a good year. I feel like I’ve learned a lot over the last two-three years here at Quinnipiac and I feel like I’ve developed a lot. The coaching staff has taught me a lot and heled me grow as a player on and off the ice.
The 6’1” 180 lb. Toews isn’t just putting up points however, though he did lead all ECAC blueliners in third period points. His number is regularly called on as the top D-pair on the penalty kill and when his team is protecting a one goal lead late in games.
It was a good thing for him and the Islanders that he took the time to find Hamden, Connecticut four years ago since he didn’t know where it was.
“Absolutely no idea. I was playing junior hockey in Surrey (British Columbia) and my coach, Matt Erhart, played for Rand (Quinnipiac head coach Pecknold) for four years as a defenseman. They said they wanted to bring me out for a visit, so out comes Google looking where Quinnipiac is and how far this flight is going to be.
“I’ve loved every second of it.”
