He spent most of his career in the American Hockey League. Toppazzini was a ssecond team all-star in 1954-55 and was a first team all-star and winner of the John B. Sollenberger Trophy (leading scorer) in 1955-56. Toppazzini coached the Providence College hockey team for four seasons from 1964-65 through 1967-68 compiling a 31-60-1 (0.342) record. His best and only winning season behind the PC bench was his first year (1964-65) when the Friars went 14-11-1 (0.558). Toppazzini was replaced by an up and coming hockey legend named Lou Lamoriello.