Massachusetts senior John Toffey signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization on Monday evening. Toffey, who was taken by Tampa Bay in the ninth round (No. 287 overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, will forgo his senior season to play professional hockey.
“This is a great opportunity for John,” said head coach Don Cahoon. “We will miss his senior leadership, but wish him nothing but the best.”
Toffey came to Massachusetts in 2002 after spending his freshman season at Ohio State. After sitting out the 2002-03 season due to NCAA transfer rules, Toffey played two seasons for the Minutemen. In 40 games for Massachusetts, Toffey scored two goals and added five assists. During his entire collegiate career, the Barnstable, Mass. native had four goals and eight assists in 64 games.
John was a two-sport athlete at the collegiate level, having also played baseball for Massachusetts head coach Mike Stone. Toffey, a right-handed pitcher, was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 47th round of the 2001 MLB draft.
