John Tonelli Biography

John Alexander Tonelli, born on March 23, 1957, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward from Milton, Ontario. Tonelli made his professional debut at age 18 in 1975 with the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. He joined the New York Islanders in 1978 and played eight seasons, contributing to five consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances and four championships from 1980 to 1983. Tonelli was traded to the Calgary Flames late in the 1985–86 season and reached the Stanley Cup Final that year, marking his seventh professional league Final appearance. In 2020, the New York Islanders retired his #27 jersey and inducted him into the Islanders Hall of Fame. Tonelli began his hockey career by playing one year with the Milton Flyers of the Central Junior B Hockey League before joining the Marlies. Tonelli became the first 15-year-old signed by the Toronto Marlies and the first Milton player to join the club since Murray Grenke.