 Having completed his four-year collegiate career with the Bulldogs, Toninato was surprisingly not offered an entry-level contract due to the Maple Leafs being up against the contract limit.With little interest in signing an AHL contract within the organization, Toninato rights were relinquished by the Maple Leafs after the August 15, 2017, deadline.As a free agent, Toninato promptly signed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche on August 17, 2017.