OJS Player Profile: David Toppa

By: Warren Rappleyea

As the school year began David Toppa didn’t plan on playing hockey this season, but as the Ottawa Junior Senators enter the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) semifinals against Brockville, both Toppa and the team are glad he changed his mind.

After completing his season last spring with the Thetford Mines Filons of the QCHL Toppa decided to concentrate on his studies. When the summer turned to fall, however, the now 21-year-old found that he missed playing.

“I talked it over with my parents and since this would be my last year of junior hockey they agreed because I won’t have this opportunity again,” Toppa said.

Fortunately, the left-wing had worked out with the Junior Senators several times last season. So he placed a call to GM/Coach Martin Dagenais, who was immediately interested in obtaining the youngster’s services.

“David is a player who was on our radar last season,” Dagenais said. “We really wanted him in Ottawa to start the year, but at that point he had made the decision to go to school full-time. However, in October he changed his mind. He told us he was missing hockey, and that he wanted to attempt to play in the CCHL. We gave him a shot, and he instantly fit in.”

Toppa made his debut on November 10 when he chalked up an assist in a 5-1 Ottawa triumph over the Hawkesbury Hawks. Since then he’s become a regular part of the Junior Senators lineup, posting nine goals and 17 assists in 31 matches. Two of his tallies proved to be game-winners. He also notched a pair of assists in his team’s quarterfinal series victory over the Kanata Lasers.

“There was a bit of an adjustment period,” recalled Toppa, who is fitting his hockey in around his studies. “It’s a younger league, but the players are fast and physical. I was glad they gave me a chance and I was able to contribute.”

A resident of nearby Gatineau, Toppa spent three years playing for Thetford Mines, where he topped the team in scoring a year ago with 23 goals and 32 assists in 33 games. During his time there he also had the opportunity to play with Danny Pion, now a teammate in Ottawa.

At 5-9, 185 pounds, Toppa believes his versatility and vision on the ice are among his key attributes. In addition, an ability to sidestep hits has helped him exploit defenders to keep plays alive and find open teammates with passes. As a result he’s spent most of his time playing on a line with Owen Cole (23 goals, 38 assists).

“Whether it’s shutting down the other team’s top line or adding some offense, I’ll do whatever it takes to help us win,” Toppa added. “I’m looking at this as my last year in hockey so I’m determined to help the team go as far as we can.”

Once the puck dropped for the quarterfinal series against Kanata, Toppa noticed an immediate uptick in intensity.

“We were ready for it though,” he said. “Everything we did during the last few weeks of the season was to build for the playoffs. We were very focused on working hard and playing the right way.”