Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia to two Irish Immigrants, Jon Toner fell in love with the game of hockey at a young age. Every week Jon looked forward to Friday nights when his dad Tadgh would bring him to see the Halifax Raiders play. Those guys became his heroes. His room adorned with Raiders memorabilia and half his wardrobe donning some form of Raiders logo or crest of some sort. He dreamed of playing with them some day. But then came quite the shock.

At the age of 8, Jon was told by his parents that they would be returning home to Killarney, Ireland. This wasn't home for Jonny, Halifax was his home. But it was set in stone. Over time Jon grew to love Killarney, and at the age of 16 gained Irish citizenship, making him a dual citizen of both Canada and Ireland. Over this time span Jon was the top young hockey player in Killarney, and 2 years later at the age of 18, declared his commitment to the Irish national team, choosing them over his boyhood home of Canada.

Today, he's been drafted 29th overall by the Halifax Raiders, his boyhood dream come true. Toner has come full circle, and according to him, he is living "the best of both worlds".