Toledo Walleye
CityToledo, Ohio
LeagueECHL
ConferenceWestern
DivisionCentral
Founded1991
Home arenaHuntington Center
ColorsPowder blue, navy blue, gold, white
       
General managerNeil Neukam
Head coachPat Mikesch
MediaToledo Blade
WCWA (1230 AM)
BCSN
AffiliatesDetroit Red Wings (NHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)
Websitewww.toledowalleye.com
Franchise history
1991–2007Toledo Storm
2009–presentToledo Walleye
Championships
Regular season titles3 (2014–15, 2016–17, 2021–22)
Division titles5 (2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18), 2021–22)
Conference titles2 (2018–19, 2021–22)
Current season

The Toledo Walleye are a professional ice hockey team based in Toledo, Ohio. The Walleye are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL. The Walleye were founded in 1991 as the Toledo Storm and play their home games at the Huntington Center, which opened in 2009. Since the beginning of the 2009–10 season, the team has been affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League and the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League[1] with an agreement in place through the 2023–24 season.[2]

The team is currently owned and operated by Toledo Arena Sports, Inc. The current ownership group is a subsidiary of Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Club, Inc., another ownership that owns and operates the Toledo Mud Hens.

History

Toledo Storm (1991–2007)

The Walleye were founded in 1991 as the Toledo Storm, playing their home games at Toledo Sports Arena across the river from downtown Toledo. The Storm were the first hockey team to play in Toledo since the International Hockey League's Toledo Goaldiggers suspended operations in 1986, eventually moving to Kansas City in 1990. In the Storm's inaugural season, the team won the West Division title and the Henry Brabham Cup after posting the league's best record in the regular season. The following year the Storm won its first Jack Riley Cup, defeating the Wheeling Thunderbirds in six games. The Storm came back the following season and won its second Riley Cup, defeating the Raleigh Icecaps in five games, becoming only the second team in league history to win back-to-back league titles (the first being the Hampton Roads Admirals in 1991 and 1992). The Storm were dominant in its first few years, winning four division titles in their first five seasons and posting a winning record in thirteen of the sixteen seasons the team played. The Storm won its second Brabham Cup in 2003 and made the American Conference finals during the 2005–06 season, ultimately losing to the Gwinnett Gladiators in five games. The Storm's final game came on April 19, 2007 during the 2007 North Division semifinals losing to in-state rival, Cincinnati Cyclones by a score of 4–0 getting swept in the series 3 games to 0. In sixteen seasons in the ECHL, the Storm posted a 610-395-103 record, winning two Riley Cups, two Brabham Cups and six division titles.

Sale to Toledo Arena Sports and Two Year Suspension

In 2007, Toledo Arena Sports, Inc., an Ohio-Not-For-Profit Corporation, purchased the rights to the Toledo, Ohio Territory from the ECHL. The new ownership group was planning to build a new state-of-the-art arena in downtown Toledo to replace the aging Sports Arena. Shortly after the sale, Toledo Arena Sports announced that after the 2006–07 season, the Storm would not compete again until the arena was completed and the ECHL granted the Storm a two-year voluntary suspension from competition.

In February 2008, General Manager Joe Napoli announced that former Storm goaltender, ECHL Hall of Famer, and head coach from 2003 to 2007, Nick Vitucci would return to coach the franchise when it returned to the ice in 2009.[3] One week after announcing Vitucci as head coach, Toledo Arena Sports Inc. renamed the Storm the "Walleye," in reference to the popular game fish that is abundant in the area.[4]

Toledo Walleye (2009–present)

Inaugural season logo promoting Opening Weekend, 2009

At the ECHL Mid-Season Board of Governors meeting, the league announced that the Walleye would be members of the American Conference's North Division along with the Cincinnati Cyclones, Elmira Jackals, Johnstown Chiefs, Wheeling Nailers[5] and Kalamazoo Wings.[6] During the NHL's award ceremonies in Las Vegas, Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland stated that the Walleye would become Detroit's ECHL affiliate for the 2009–10 season and that the Wings would send one of their three goaltender prospects (either Jordan Pearce, Thomas McCollum or Daniel Larsson) to Toledo for the season.[7][8] On August 5, 2009, the Walleye announced a second affiliation agreement, becoming the ECHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago's AHL affiliate the Rockford IceHogs.[9]

Alternate logo

The Walleye opened their inaugural season on October 16, 2009, hosting the defending Brabham Cup champion Florida Everblades in the first of a three-game series. Prior to the Walleye's home opener, head coach Nick Vitucci named defenseman Ryan Stokes as the team's captain.[10] Despite a strong effort, the Walleye dropped their opener to Florida 1–2 in front of a sell-out crowd of 8,000, the largest crowd to ever watch a pro hockey game in Toledo at the time.[11] The Walleye would return the next night and rookie goaltender Jordan Pearce would stop 35 of 37 shots faced as the Walleye scored three goals in the final period to get past the Everblades for the team's first win, 5–2.[12] On December 31, defenseman J.C. Sawyer and forward Maxime Tanguay were selected to the American Conference All-Star team and played at the All-Star Game at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California on January 20.[13] Sawyer was named the captain of the American Conference All-Stars.[14] At the end of the regular season, defenseman J.C. Sawyer was named as a First Team selection to the All-ECHL team and won the Defenseman of the Year award,[15] while center Maxime Tanguay was named to the All-Rookie team.[16] The Walleye would finish the regular season in eighth place in the American Conference leading to a matchup with the American Conference regular season champions, the Charlotte Checkers.[17] Toledo, behind a hat trick from winger Adam Keefe, claimed a 7–2 victory over top-seeded Charlotte in game one of the series, the first playoff game win for the organization since game two of the 2006 American Conference Finals against the Gwinnett Gladiators.[18] However, the Walleye would lose the next three games to Charlotte and were eliminated from the playoffs in four games.

2012–13 home opener vs. Kalamazoo Wings.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Walleye voluntarily suspended operations for the 2020–21 season.[19] Coming back from the voluntary suspension, the Walleye would go on to win the Brabham Cup[20] in the 2021–22 season, finishing with the league's best points % with.708, the only team above .700%. They would then go on to win in comeback fashion the first series of the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs, 4–3.[21] They then went on to sweep Wheeling[22] and best Utah in 5 games after losing Game 1.[23] The Walleye would go on to lose the Kelly Cup Finals to the Florida Everblades, who beat the Newfoundland Growlers, the team that beat Toledo in the 2018-19 Kelly Cup Finals, 4 games to 1 in the Eastern Conference semifinal [24][25][26]

Mascots

On July 27, 2009, the Walleye introduced Spike, their costumed mascot at a Toledo Mud Hens baseball game. Spike is a yellow anthropomorphic walleye, adorned with a white Walleyes jersey, blue gloves, helmet and shoes and a gap tooth smile. Spike's nemesis is Cat Trick, a fuzzy blue cat, with a fishing vest and bright yellow boots. The two like to take cheap shots at each other during games.

Winterfest

The first ECHL outdoor hockey event was at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, December 27, 2014.[27] The Walleye lost 2-1 to the visiting Kalamazoo Wings. On January 5, the Walleye fell to the Fort Wayne Komets 3-2 in a shootout. In addition to the Walleye games, the annual Battle of the Badges game between the Toledo Police Department and Toledo Fire Department occurred on December 31,[28] the U.S. National Under 18 Team defeated Adrian College 6-1 in an exhibition on January 1,[29] and Bowling Green played Robert Morris to a 2-2 draw on January 4.[30] Anthony Wayne High School, Saint Ignatius High School, Saint John's High School, Whitmer High School, and many other youth and adult teams also participated in the Winterfest. Over 10 days, an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people attended events at the stadium.[31]

Rivalries

Fort Wayne Komets

The Walleye’s rivalry with the Komets is arguably the best in the ECHL. The teams are only 100 miles apart and would take a less than two hour drive to get from the Huntington Center to Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The games between the two often result in some of the most hostile atmospheres in minor league hockey. Both teams play in the same division, making every matchup hotly contested.

Cincinnati Cyclones

The Walleye’s rivalry with the Cyclones is one of proximity, as both teams play in the state of Ohio. They also play in the same division. In both the 2022 and 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs, the two teams met each other, with Toledo winning the series 4-3 in 2022 and Toledo winning again in 2023 4-0. Although not as fierce as the Komets rivalry, the Walleye and Cyclones matchup never seems to disappoint. Both teams usually finish at the top of their division.

Season-by-season record

Opening night of the 2009–10 Toledo Walleye season

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Regular season Playoffs
SeasonGPWLOTLSOLPtsGFGAPIMStandingYear1st round2nd round3rd roundKelly Cup
2009–10723530257725427414523rd, North2010L, 1–3,[32] CHA———
2010–11723333427223925511954th, North2011did not qualify
2011–12722838246218925811404th, North2012did not qualify
2012–1372372654832241959822nd, North2013L, 2–4,[33] CIN———
2013–14722144434919326810205th, North2014did not qualify
2014–15725015521072811827851st, North2015W, 4–3, WHLW, 4–3, FWL, 3–4, SC[34]—
2015–1672472023992251746651st, North2016L, 3–4, REA———
2016–17725117221063021918491st, Central2017W, 4–3, KALW, 4–1, FWL, 1–4, COL—
2017–18725017321052421708461st, Central2018W, 4–0, INDL, 2–4, FW——
2018–19724023638923722110162nd, Central2019W, 4–2, FWW, 4–1, CINW, 4–3, TULL, 2–4, NFL
2019–2059371741792251637482nd, Central2020Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21Opted out of participating due to the COVID-19 pandemic2021did not participate
2021–22724919221022772037601st, Central2022W, 4–3, CIN[35]W, 4–0, WHL[36]W, 4–1, UTA[37]L, 1–4, FLA[38]
2022–2372451953982521798862nd, Central2023W 4–0 IND[39]W 4–0 CINL 1–4 IDA—

Players and personnel

Current roster

Updated December 1, 2023.[40]
Team roster
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
9 United States Matt Anderson D L 24 2023 Shakopee, Minnesota Walleye
30 Czech Republic Jan Bednar G L 21 2023 Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic Griffins
58 Canada Adrien Beraldo D L 24 2023 Stoney Creek, Ontario Walleye
18 United States Trenton Bliss F L 25 2022 Dallas, Texas Griffins
7 United States Sam Craggs LW L 26 2022 Elmhurst, Illinois Walleye
55 United States Will Cullen D R 27 2023 Pelham Manor, New York Walleye
22 Canada Carson Denomie RW L 23 2023 Regina, Saskatchewan Walleye
37 Canada Alexandre Doucet C L 22 2023 Saint-Denis-de-Brompton, Quebec Red Wings
4 United States Thomas Farrell D R 24 2023 Mettawa, Illinois Walleye
13 United States Chase Gresock F R 25 2023 Powell, Ohio Walleye
16 United States Brandon Hawkins RW R 29 2021 Macomb Township, Michigan Walleye
23 United States Conlan Keenan C L 28 2021 Webster, New York Walleye
28 United States Brandon Kruse LW L 24 2023 Saline, Michigan Walleye
31 United States John Lethemon G L 27 2022 Northville, Michigan Red Wings
67 United States Mitch Lewandowski LW L 25 2023 Clarkston, Michigan Walleye
26 Canada Riley McCourt D L 23 2022 St. Catharines, Ontario Walleye
15 United States Patrick McGrath RW R 30 2023 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Walleye
34 Canada Rylan Parenteau G L 27 2023 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Walleye
29 Canada Darian Pilon LW L 25 2023 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Walleye
10 Canada Riley Sawchuk C R 24 2023 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Griffins
20 United States Sam Sternschein LW R 25 2023 Syosset, New York Walleye
44 Finland Antti Tuomisto D R 22 2023 Pori, Finland Red Wings
27 Russia Kirill Tyutyayev LW L 23 2022 Yekaterinburg, Russia Walleye
6 United States Jake Willets D R 24 2023 Erie, Michigan Walleye

Team captains

Head coaches

Team records

Updated August 12, 2021[43]

Awards and honors

References

  1. ↑ Monroe, Mark (August 4, 2009). "Walleye, Red Wings sign deal". Toledo Blade. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  2. ↑ "TOLEDO TO CONTINUE DETROIT AFFILIATION FOR THREE SEASONS". Toledowalleye.com. August 11, 2021.
  3. ↑ Vardon, Joe (February 13, 2008). "Ex-Storm coach Vitucci is first hire of next hockey team". Toledo Blade. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
  4. ↑ Vardon, Joe (February 20, 2008). "Mud Hens snag catchy "Walleye" as moniker for hockey franchise". Toledo Blade.
  5. ↑ "ECHL Concludes Mid-Season Board of Governors Meeting" (Press release). ECHL. March 30, 2009. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  6. ↑ Monroe, Mark (June 21, 2009). "New Walleye will revive old IHL rivalry with Kalamazoo". Toledo Blade. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  7. ↑ Sipple, George (June 19, 2009). "Alex Ovechkin has fun beating Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk". Detroit Free Press.
  8. ↑ Monroe, Mark (August 3, 2009). "Red Wings link with Walleye". Toledo Blade. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  9. ↑ Monroe, Mark (August 5, 2009). "Blackhawks, Walleye join forces". Toledo Blade. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  10. ↑ Angie, Marie (October 16, 2009). "Ryan Stokes named captain of the Toledo Walleye". Examiner. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. ↑ Monroe, Mark (October 17, 2009). "Walleye iced in debut". Toledo Blade. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  12. ↑ Monroe, Mark (October 18, 2009). "Pearce shines in first win for Walleye". Toledo Blade. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  13. ↑ Staff (January 1, 2010). "2 from Walleye named ECHL all-stars". Toledo Blade. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
  14. ↑ Staff (January 20, 2010). "Walleye's Sawyer all-star captain". Toledo Blade. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  15. ↑ Staff (April 8, 2010). "Walleye's Sawyer named top ECHL defenseman". Toledo Blade. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
  16. ↑ "ECHL All-Rookie Team Announced" (Press release). ECHL. March 31, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  17. ↑ Monroe, Mark (April 4, 2010). "Walleye get Charlotte in first round of playoffs". Toledo Blade. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  18. ↑ Monroe, Mark (April 7, 2010). "Keefe ignites Walleye". Toledo Blade. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  19. ↑ "ECHL FINALIZES ROSTER OF TEAMS FOR 2020-21 SEASON". ECHL. January 4, 2021.
  20. ↑ "TOLEDO WINS BRABHAM CUP TITLE". echl.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  21. ↑ "WALLEYE COMPLETE SERIES COMEBACK WITH 4-2 GAME 7 VICTORY OVER CYCLONES". toledowalleye.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  22. ↑ "WALLEYE COMPLETE SWEEP OF WHEELING NAILERS WITH 3-1 GAME 4 VICTORY". toledowalleye.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  23. ↑ "TOLEDO CAPTURES BRUCE TAYLOR TROPHY AS WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS". echl.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  24. ↑ "FLORIDA WINS 2022 KELLY CUP TITLE". echl.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  25. ↑ "FLORIDA CAPTURES E.A. "BUD" GINGHER TROPHY AS EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS". Echl.com. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 6 Jul 2022.
  26. ↑ "Newfoundland wins 2019 Kelly Cup title". www.echl.com. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  27. ↑ "Outdoor hockey coming to ECHL, Toledo". ECHL. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Toledo Safety Officials Battle at Winterfest". Toledo Blade. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  29. ↑ "U.S. team shows off skills against Adrian". Toledo Blade. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Frozen, wet Falcons tie Robert Morris". Toledo Blade. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Toledo Walleye Winterfest". Toledo Blade. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Toledo Walleye 2010 Playoffs". echl.com. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  33. ↑ "Toledo Walleye 2013 Playoffs". echl.com. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  34. ↑ "Walleye Lose Game 7 in Triple Overtime". toledoblade.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  35. ↑ "WALLEYE COMPLETE SERIES COMEBACK WITH 4-2 GAME 7 VICTORY OVER CYCLONES". toledowalleye.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  36. ↑ "WALLEYE COMPLETE SWEEP OF WHEELING NAILERS WITH 3-1 GAME 4 VICTORY". toledowalleye.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  37. ↑ "WALLEYE ADVANCE TO KELLY CUP FINALS WITH 5-1 WIN OVER UTAH". toledowalleye.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  38. ↑ "WALLEYE'S SEASON ENDS IN GAME 5 OF KELLY CUP FINALS". toledowalleye.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  39. ↑ "THIRD PERIOD RALLY LEADS TO SERIES SWEEP OVER INDY". toledowalleye.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  40. ↑ "Toledo Walleye - Team Roster". 2023-12-01.
  41. ↑ "Hirschfeld named new Walleye Captain". 2017-02-15. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
  42. ↑ "Hensick named Walleye captain; Berschbach alternate captain". 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  43. ↑ "Toledo Walleye all-time player roster". 2017-04-08. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  44. ↑ "2016-17 All-ECHL Second Team". 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  45. ↑ "All-ECHL First and Second Teams announced". 2019-04-04. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
  46. ↑ "2016-17 All-Rookie Team". 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  47. ↑ "Spink named ECHL Rookie of the Year". 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  48. ↑ "Toledo's Berschbach receives ECHL Sportmanship Award". 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  49. ↑ "NEUKAM, OHRABLO NAMED CO-RECIPIENTS OF ECHL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD". ECHL. June 26, 2018.
  50. ↑ "Walleye GM Neukam named ECHL executive of the year". Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Award of Excellence Winners". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  52. ↑ "Toledo Walleye earn the ECHL's Team Award of Excellence". Toledo Blade. June 21, 2018.
  53. ↑ "Toledo receives 2016-17 ECHL Best Ice Award". 2017-04-28. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  54. ↑ "Toledo Receives 2019-20 Best Ice Award". OurSports Central. April 16, 2020.
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