Toporowski extends family’s history in WHL, signs WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Rebels

By: Danny Rode

It seemed only right that one day Dmitri Toporowski would get a chance to play in the WHL.

It’s been a family affair with his dad, Shayne, uncles Brad and Kerry and cousins Jake and Luke all playing in the league.

When the Red Deer Rebels contacted Dmitri while he was playing for the La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL) about trying out it with the club, was a dream come true for the 18-year-old.

“It’s definitely been a dream of mine with my dad and family all playing here… something I wanted to live up to,” said the six-foot, 190-pound defenceman.

It was also a pleasant surprise.

“It came out of the blue,” he said. “I got the call and was excited to come here the next day.”

He also has a younger cousin, Cohen, who is playing for the Prince Albert Mintos U18AAA team and could also one day make the jump to The Dub.

Dmitri, who was born in Shrewsbury, MA, was selected by the Prince Albert Raiders, his dad’s former club, in the first round of the 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.

However, Dmitri never got the opportunity to play for P.A.

“They had a deep D-core, and a lot of their cards were full so I didn’t get the opportunity there, but I’m glad I got one here,” he said.

Toporowski was invited to tryout with the Rebels last week as an affiliated player and suited up for games against Victoria, earning an assist in his WHL debut, and Edmonton.

“Getting an opportunity to jump right in got me ready to play in this league,” he said.

Although he’s only been with the Rebels for a week, he’s impressed head coach Dave Struch.

“He’s earned a spot on this team with his competitive edge alone,” he said. “Just his willingness to compete every day in practice, being physical. He doesn’t care who he’s up against he plays to win every single battle.”

He also needs to continue to work on his individual skills and timing, Struch noted.

“Those are things we can work on as coaches and things he wants to get better at, and he’s done in a short period of time.

“He’s true to himself and true to his teammates. He makes them work… if they want to win battles against him, they have to work for it.”

Struch knows all about the Toporowski family. He played against Shayne in 1991-92 when Struch was with the Saskatoon Blades. The two also played season against each other in the American Hockey League when Dave was with the Saint John Flames and Shayne with the St. John’s Maple Leafs.

“Dmitri has strong blood lines,” said Struch. “His father was a competitor and brought his son up well. You can see it in his face. He’s come in wanting to earn a spot and he has, based on his true grit alone. It’s hard to teach that in people these days.

“The amount of courage he has to do what he does every single day is very special.”

But that’s the style he likes playing as he patterns his game after NHL rearguards Radko Gudas and Nikita Zadorov.

“I like the physical game and jumping up the ice to get into the offence when I can,” he said.

Dmitri’s hockey career has seen him move around.

He played youth hockey with the Worchester Jr. Sharks, first as a forward then on the blueline.

He joined the Boston Hockey Academy U15 AAA in 2020. Then after missing out with Prince Albert, he played the 2021-22 season with the Prairie Hockey Academy U18 Prep program in Caronport, SK.

From there he played a year with the Chicgao Mission U18 program before returning back to Saskatchewan, joining the Melfort Mustangs for two games before being traded to La Ronge. In 16 games with the Ice Wolves he had three goals and six assists.

“I’ve kind of been all over the place,” he said with a laugh. ‘The trade from Melfort to La Ronge was good. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Now he’s getting used to the WHL.

“The skill and speed are a lot better, there’s some adjusting to do,” he said.

There’s also adjusting to playing in front of a new goaltender.

“Each goalie is different, you have to adapt to the way they play the puck, but (Chase) Wutzke has been awesome. He’s always talking, which really helps.”

While playing in the WHL is a dream of his, Toporowski hasn’t forgot about the NCAA now that CHL players have been deemed eligible.

“When I was in La Ronge I thought about the college route. Then when the rule change came through for the NCAA and Major Junior, I felt I could live my dream and still go to college, if it works that way.”

As for getting a shot at the WHL, his dad was especially proud.

“When I contacted him, he was pumped. He wanted me in this league for a while now. And I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”