Dominic Toninato, a former Duluth East High School star center who is currently in his first full season of United States Hockey League competition, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend and play hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2013-14.

Toninato, a member of the Fargo Force,  joins three other incoming recruits from the USHL who signed with UMD last week -- forward Alex Iafallo (Fargo Force), defenseman Dan Molenaar (Sioux City Musketeers), and forward Kyle Osterberg (Omaha Lancers).

Through 17 games with the Force this season, Toninato holds down the No. 2 spot on the team's scoring charts with 19 points on six goals and 13 assists while ranking third in plus-minus rating (+7).  He also has a pair of power play assists to his credit and has put 48 shots on goal.

Toninato capped off a rewarding three-year career at Duluth East School last spring by being named a Mr. Hockey Award finalist in addition to landing a spot on the Associated Press All-State second team. As a senior, he captained the Greyhounds to a fourth straight berth in the Minnesota State Class AA Tournament appearance and delivered his second consecutive 61-point season, amassing 27 goals and 34 assists in 25 outings. Toninato was the first Minnesota prep player selected in this past June's National Hockey League draft, going to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fifth round (126th pick overall).

Once he hits the ice for the first time as a Bulldog, Toninato will complete the program's ninth father-son combination. His dad, Jim, skated in 155 games at center and left wing for UMD between 1982-86 and had 19 goals and 35 assists to show for it.