Vesa Toskala

Last updated


BIOGRAPHY

BORN: Tampere, Finland, May 20, 1977.
HOME:
HEIGHT: 5'9"-5'10".
WEIGHT: 172-190 lbs.
UNIFORM #: 29 (San Jose 2002-03), 35 (San Jose 2003-present, Cleveland 2005-06, Toronto), 33 (Cleveland 2001-03).
CATCHES: Left

STYLE:
STRENGTHS:
WEAKNESSES:

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

"Has been No. 1 goalie with his team past three years. Time to come to North America." (The Hockey News Future Watch 1998)

"Has been right there with Kiprusoff, but how many Finnish goalies have had success at NHL level?" (Dan Wood, The Hockey News Future Watch 1999)

"Was unsure about crossing the Atlantic Ocean to paly hockey, but finally signed a contract with the Sharks this summer. An odd goalie to watch; he has no particular style, he just stops the puck. He's highly acrobatic, however, which allows great mobility and lateral movement across his crease. Also very good with his stick and handles the puck well." (The Sports Forecaster 1999-2000, p. 216)

"Small, acrobatic goalie has played on Finnish national junior team and should start in the minors next season." (The Hockey News Future Watch 2000)

"Toskala emerged as the No. 1 goalie in Kentucky when Kiprusoff was promoted to San Jose. The Sharks are convinced the 23-year-old Finn can compete at a high level and, like Kiprusoff, he continues to adjust to the smaller North American ice surface where shots come from all angles. Several minor league teams inquired about getting Toskala on loan to use as a No. 1 this season." (Ross McKeon, The Hockey News Future Watch 2001)

"Toskala enjoyed a very successfull first pro season in North America in 2000-01. Once compared to Dominik Hasek for his unorthodox style, the Finn may be the Sharks' brightest prospect in goal. He's progressing well and becoming more consistent. With Evgeni Nabokov and Miikka Kiprusoff ahead of him, the Sharks can be patient." (The Sports Forecaster 2001-02, p. 219)

"Following in San Jose's line of successfully nurtured goaltending prospects, Toskala made his NHL debut early this season. Similar in development to Evgeni Nabokov and Miikka Kiprusoff, he's a little more stubborn. A minor-pro environment is still most conducive for what he needs to accomplish. Next year could prove pivotal." (Ross McKeon, The Hockey News Future Watch 2002)

"The Cleveland Barons missed the AHL playoffs but Toskala kept them in many a game, posting a very respectable .912 save percentage combined with a 2.99 goals-against average. He is a smaller netminder and plays an unorthodox style but many think he has NHL backup potential." (The Sports Forecaster 2002-03, p. 213)

"Toskala is facing a lot of shots on a nightly basis due [to] the fact Cleveland is depleted with injuries, especially on defense. Fast and agile, the Finn diplays a good attitude about the workload and the fact the team isn't winning. This is his third minor pro season. The Sharks would like to see how he could perform again at the NHL level, a move that's possible following the trade deadline." (Ross McKeon, The Hockey News Future Watch 2003, p. 33)

"How good is Toskala? The Sharks gave up on 2004 postseason hero Miikka Kiprusoff (Calgary) to hold on to fellow Finn Toskala's rights. He relies on athleticism to cover the net, and is a highlight-reel goaltender. Toskala needs to work on his consistency in order to wrestle ice time away from incumbent Evgeni Nabokov." (The Sports Forecaster 2005-06, p. 105)


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SEASON RECORDS:

REGULAR SEASON
Year  Team                        GP    Min   W   L   T  OL     GA    GAA   Shots    Sv%   ShO   G   A   PiM     S/60    PERS
93-94 Ilves Tampere FINLAND JR     2
94-95 Ilves Tampere FINLAND JR    17    956                     36   2.26
95-96 Ilves Tampere FINLAND       37   2073                    109   3.15                    1
      Koo Vee FINLAND              2    119                      5   2.52
      Ilves Tampere FINLAND JR     3    180                      3   1.00
96-97 Ilves Tampere FINLAND       40   2270  22  12   5        108   2.85                    0
97-98 Ilves Tampere FINLAND       48   2555  26  13   3        118   2.77                    1   0   1    30
98-99 Ilves Tampere FINLAND       33   1966  21  12   0         70   2.14                    5
99-00 Farjestad Karlstad SWEDEN   44   2652                    118   2.67                    3
      Finland WORLD                5    299                     15   3.02     100   .850     0             2
00-01 Kentucky Thoroughblades AHL 44   2466  22  13   5        114   2.77    1279   .911     2   0   1     6
01-02 Cleveland Barons AHL        62   3574  19  33   7        178   2.99    2023   .912     3   0   2    22
      San Jose Sharks NHL          1     10   0   0   0          0   0.00       2  1.000     0   0   0     0    12.00 1020.00
02-03 San Jose Sharks NHL         11    537   4   3   1         21   2.35     287   .927     1   0   0     0
      Cleveland Barons AHL        49   2824  15  30   2        151   3.21    1564   .903     1   0   2    12
03-04 San Jose Sharks NHL         28   1541  12   8   4         53   2.06     760   .930     1   0   1     2
04-05 Ilves Tampere FINLAND        3    186   0   1   2          8   2.58     115   .930     0   0   0     4
05-06 San Jose Sharks NHL         37   2039  23   7       4     87   2.56     878   .901     2   0   1     4
      Cleveland Barons AHL         1     65   0   0       1      0   0.00      16  1.000     1   0   0     0
06-07 San Jose Sharks NHL         38   2142  26  10       1     84   2.35     915   .908     4   0   3     0
FIVE (5) NHL SEASONS             115   6269  65  28   5   5    245   2.34    2842  0.914     8   0   5     6

POST-SEASON
Year  Team                        GP    Min   W   L   GA    GAA   Shots    Sv%   ShO   G   A   PiM     S/60    PERS
95-96 Ilves Tampere FINLAND        2     78           11   8.46                    0
96-97 Ilves Tampere FINLAND        8    479   3   5   29   3.63                    0
97-98 Ilves Tampere FINLAND        9    519   6   3   18   2.08                    1
98-99 Ilves Tampere FINLAND        4    248   1   3   14   3.39
99-00 Farjestad Karlstad SWEDEN    7    439           19   2.60                    0
00-01 Kentucky Thoroughblades AHL  3    197   0   3    8   2.44                    0   0   0     2
04-05 Ilves Tampere FINLAND        6    357   3   3   19   3.19     236   .919     0
05-06 San Jose Sharks NHL         11    686   6   5   28   2.44     311   .910     1   0   0     0
ONE (1) NHL POSTSEASON            11    686   6   5   28   2.44     311   .910     1   0   0     0

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