Dominic Toninato has put up some impressive offensive numbers this season, but that's not why the National Collegiate Hockey Conference recognized the University of Minnesota Duluth senior center with one its major individual awards Thursday night.

Toninato, who has generated 25 points (one shy of his career best) during his final collegiate go-around, was named NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year -- a UMD program first -- at the conference's annual Awards Celebration. The senior team captain and Duluth, MInn., product. is tied for the team-lead in plus-minus rating (+19) and shorthanded goals (a career-high two) while skating a regular shift on the Bulldogs' penalty killing and power play units. He also has blocked 27 shots during the course of the 2016-17 season.