Every successful team in hockey history has had a slew of role players that can produce when the time comes and pick up the proverbial lunch pail when times are tough.
The New York Islanders dynasty of the early ’80s had players like Andurs Kallur and Butch Goring who consistently came through in the clutch. The 1994 New York Rangers had Esa Tikkanen and Craig MacTavish who annoyed defenses and won big faceoffs. The Devils still have John Madden and Jay Pandolfo, who drive opposing offenses crazy every night with their endless hustle.
The Brooklyn Aces have C.J. Tozzo.
“I’ll do whatever they need me to,” he said. “I don’t see myself as a one-dimensional player. I can fill a variety of roles. I like to use my speed to create offensive opportunities and find my teammates. Because of that, I’d ideally like to be in a playmaking center type role and play with a good scoring winger with speed. I’m the type of player who can create offensive opportunities, but I’m responsible defensively as well.”
After losing the Div. III national championship with Plattsburgh State last season, Tozzo is ready to make the most of his first season as a pro.
“I knew my career wasn’t over [after college] and I had a bitter taste in my mouth,” he said. “Because of that, this season was something I’ve been really looking forward to and I’m really happy that I have an opportunity here.”
A leader at Plattsburgh State, where he scored 11 goals and 31 points in 70 games in two and a half seasons, Tozzo opened up the eyes of the fans and coaching staff with his work ethic and consistency.
“What C.J. brings to the team is his relentless penalty killing,” Plattsburgh State Head Coach Bob Emery told the Journal News in January. “Offensively, C.J. leads the team as far as penalty chances he creates. He’s had a little bit of bum luck finishing, but we’re just thankful he gets the opportunities, and most of the opportunities he creates himself.”
That type of work ethic is what got Tozzo a shot with the ECHL’s Ontario Reign this summer, but in a turn of events that worked out in the Aces favor, less than a week before the team’s first practice, Tozzo arrived in shape and ready to contribute. However, with skilled finishers the likes of Chris Holmes, Jesse Felten, Mike Christensen and James Brannigan on the team, Tozzo isn’t likely to get first line ice time and will most likely be used in a Richard Park/Blair Betts energy type role.
However, that doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t contribute anywhere the team puts him.
Either way, he’s just happy to be on the ice.
“I’m from Westchester, I live 35 minutes away from here,” the 5′9 180-pound Tozzo said. “The opportunity to play in my own backyard is great. I was looking at a few other teams in the SPHL and I went to a free agent camp as well. I wasn’t even aware of this league at first and then me and coach Firriolo started talking and I decided to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.
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on Nov 1st, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Nice Article………..A big time player & scorer from Applecore Championship Team …but, p.s. he’s already centering the first line with Brannigan !!!
on Nov 9th, 2008 at 5:40 am
If this guy played for King Henry and did so well, why couldn’t he have gone to a better college program than Plattsburgh in the SUNYAC? I guess I don’t get it. Henry cut me twice and now i play for Trinity. And even out of a great DIII program like SUNY Plattsburgh (no, I’m not being sarcastic), why the hell couldn’t he get a better contract offer than in a league none of us have ever heard of?
When did this league start, and how can one get tickets? Are they expensive? I thought the Aviator’s new complex was mostly like a youth hockey type of place n general skating? How many people can it seat?
on Nov 9th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
he actually started out at D1 Niagara, but he wanted more playing time and to take on a more offensive role so he chose Plattsburgh and was made a captain after only being there a year, i think thats pretty impressive considering the caliber of team Plattsburgh had his senior year
on Nov 11th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
CJ is a great add to any program coming out of Plattsburgh state, possibly the highest recruited D3 school. I watched him play here and was a great addition to our team as coach emery has said I have 4 starting lines. CJ’s skills and personality is definitaly an added bonus to any team. Sean