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Toledo Walleye

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Toledo Walleye
Toledo Walleye Logo
City Toledo, Ohio
League ECHL
Conference Western
Division Central
Founded 1991
Home arena Huntington Center
Colors Powder blue, navy blue, gold, white
                   
Owner(s) Toledo Arena Sports, Inc
General manager Neil Neukam
Head coach Pat Mikesch
Media Toledo Blade
WCWA (1230 AM)
BCSN
Affiliates Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)
Website www.toledowalleye.com
Franchise history
1991–2007 Toledo Storm
2009–present Toledo Walleye
Previous franchise history
Championships
Regular season titles 3 (2014–15, 2016–17, 2021–22)
Division titles 6 (2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18), 2021–22, 2023–24)
Conference titles 2 (2018–19, 2021–22)
Hockey current event 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)[]

Main article: Toledo Storm

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)[]

See also: 2009–10 Toledo Walleye season
Toledo Walleye opening weekend

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]

Toledo Walleye alternate logo

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 Toledo and Kalamazoo

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[]

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.

Season-by-season record[]

Toledo Walleye First Game

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
Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA PIM Standing Year 1st round 2nd round 3rd round Kelly Cup
2009–10 72 35 30 2 5 77 254 274 1452 3rd, North 2010 L, 1–3,[32] CHA — — —
2010–11 72 33 33 4 2 72 239 255 1195 4th, North 2011 did not qualify
2011–12 72 28 38 2 4 62 189 258 1140 4th, North 2012 did not qualify
2012–13 72 37 26 5 4 83 224 195 982 2nd, North 2013 L, 2–4,[33] CIN — — —
2013–14 72 21 44 4 3 49 193 268 1020 5th, North 2014 did not qualify
2014–15 72 50 15 5 2 107 281 182 785 1st, North 2015 W, 4–3, WHL W, 4–3, FW L, 3–4, SC[34] —
2015–16 72 47 20 2 3 99 225 174 665 1st, North 2016 L, 3–4, REA — — —
2016–17 72 51 17 2 2 106 302 191 849 1st, Central 2017 W, 4–3, KAL W, 4–1, FW L, 1–4, COL —
2017–18 72 50 17 3 2 105 242 170 846 1st, Central 2018 W, 4–0, IND L, 2–4, FW — —
2018–19 72 40 23 6 3 89 237 221 1016 2nd, Central 2019 W, 4–2, FW W, 4–1, CIN W, 4–3, TUL L, 2–4, NFL
2019–20 59 37 17 4 1 79 225 163 748 2nd, Central 2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 Opted out of participating due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2021 did not participate
2021–22 72 49 19 2 2 102 277 203 760 1st, Central 2022 W, 4–3, CIN[35] W, 4–0, WHL[36] W, 4–1, UTA[37] L, 1–4, FLA[38]
2022–23 72 45 19 5 3 98 252 179 886 2nd, Central 2023 W 4–0 IND[39] W 4–0 CIN[40] L 1–4 IDA[41] —
2023–24 71 48 14 4 5 105 289 209 809 1st, Central 2024 W, 4–0, KAL W, 4-0 WHL L, 2-4 KCM -

Players and personnel[]

Current roster[]

Updated December 1, 2023.[42]
# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
9 Flag of the United States Anderson, MattMatt Anderson

D L 25 2023 Shakopee, Minnesota Walleye
30 Flag of the Czech Republic Bednar, JanJan Bednar

G L 22 2023 Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic Griffins
58 Flag of Canada Beraldo, AdrienAdrien Beraldo

D L 24 2023 Stoney Creek, Ontario Walleye
18 Flag of the United States Bliss, TrentonTrenton Bliss

F L 26 2022 Dallas, Texas Griffins
7 Flag of the United States Craggs, SamSam Craggs

LW L 27 2022 Elmhurst, Illinois Walleye
55 Flag of the United States Cullen, WillWill Cullen

D R 28 2023 Pelham Manor, New York Walleye
22 Flag of Canada Denomie, CarsonCarson Denomie

RW L 24 2023 Regina, Saskatchewan Walleye
37 Flag of Canada Doucet, AlexandreAlexandre Doucet

C L 22 2023 Saint-Denis-de-Brompton, Quebec Red Wings
4 Flag of the United States Farrell, ThomasThomas Farrell

D R 25 2023 Mettawa, Illinois Walleye
13 Flag of the United States Gresock, ChaseChase Gresock

F R 26 2023 Powell, Ohio Walleye
16 Flag of the United States Hawkins, BrandonBrandon Hawkins

RW R 30 2021 Macomb Township, Michigan Walleye
23 Flag of the United States Keenan, ConlanConlan Keenan

C L 29 2021 Webster, New York Walleye
28 Flag of the United States Kruse, BrandonBrandon Kruse

LW L 25 2023 Saline, Michigan Walleye
31 Flag of the United States Lethemon, JohnJohn Lethemon

G L 28 2022 Northville, Michigan Red Wings
67 Flag of the United States Lewandowski, MitchMitch Lewandowski

LW L 26 2023 Clarkston, Michigan Walleye
26 Flag of Canada McCourt, RileyRiley McCourt

D L 24 2022 St. Catharines, Ontario Walleye
15 Flag of the United States McGrath, PatrickPatrick McGrath

RW R 31 2023 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Walleye
34 Flag of Canada Parenteau, RylanRylan Parenteau

G L 28 2023 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Walleye
29 Flag of Canada Pilon, DarianDarian Pilon

LW L 26 2023 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Walleye
10 Flag of Canada Sawchuk, RileyRiley Sawchuk

C R 25 2023 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Griffins
44 Flag of Finland Tuomisto, AnttiAntti Tuomisto

D R 23 2023 Pori, Finland Red Wings
27 Flag of Russia Tyutyayev, KirillKirill Tyutyayev

LW L 24 2022 Yekaterinburg, Russia Walleye
6 Flag of the United States Willets, JakeJake Willets

D R 25 2023 Erie, Michigan Walleye

Team captains[]

Head coaches[]

Team records[]

Updated August 12, 2021[45]

Single season[]

Goals: 39 Brandon Hawkins (2022–23)
Assists: 68 Shane Berschbach (2016–17)
Points: 86 Shane Berschbach (2016–17)
Penalty minutes: 246 Bryan Moore (2018–19)

Career[]

Goals: 116 Shane Berschbach (2014–20)
Assists: 277 Shane Berschbach (2014–20)
Points: 393 Shane Berschbach (2014–20)
Penalty minutes: 246 Bryan Moore (2018–19)
Games Played: 376 Smatt Berschbach (2014–20)

Awards and honors[]

Most Valuable Player

Leading Scorer

All-ECHL First Team

All-ECHL Second Team

All-ECHL Rookie Team

CCM Defenseman of the Year

CCM Rookie of the Year

ECHL All-Star Game Selection

Sportsmanship Award

North Division Champions

Central Division Champions

Bruce Taylor Trophy
ECHL Western Conference Playoff Champion

Henry Brabham Cup
ECHL regular season champion

John Brophy Award
ECHL Coach of the Year

Executive of the Year

Reebok Athletic Trainer of the Year

Ticket Executive of the Year

Outstanding Media Award

Team awards

References[]

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

External links[]

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Toledo Walleye
Preceded by
Toledo Storm 		Professional ice hockey team in
Toledo, Ohio
2009–present 		Succeeded by
Current team
Preceded by
Alaska Aces 		Brabham Cup champions
2014–15
2016–17
2021–22 		Succeeded by
Missouri Mavericks
Toledo Walleye
The FranchiseFranchise • Toledo Storm • Team history • Seasons • Players • Accomplishments • Records • Wally • Current season
ArenasHuntington Center
Head coachesVitucci
Team captainsStokes
RivalsCincinnati Cyclones • Kalamazoo Wings
AffiliatesNHL: Chicago Blackhawks • Detroit Red Wings • AHL: Grand Rapids Griffins • Rockford IceHogs
Seasons2009–10 • 2010–11


Detroit Red Wings
Team Franchise • Players • Coaches • GMs • Seasons • Draft Picks • Little Caesars Arena
Stanley Cups 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008
Affiliates Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), Toledo Walleye (ECHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins
Founded in 1996 - Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan
FranchiseHistory - Records - Players (current) - All articles
ArenasVan Andel Arena
CoachesDave Allison - Bob McNamara - Guy Charron - Bruce Cassidy - Danton Cole - Greg Ireland - Mike Stothers - Curt Fraser - Jeff Blashill - Todd Nelson - Ben Simon - Dan Watson
RivalriesChicago Wolves - Cleveland Monsters - Milwaukee Admirals - Rochester Americans - Syracuse Crunch
Calder Cups2013 - 2017
AffiliatesDetroit Red Wings (NHL) - Toledo Walleye (ECHL}
ECHL (2023–24)
Western ConferenceEastern Conference
Future Bloomington Bison (2024-25) - Tahoe Knight Monsters (2024-25)
Seasons - Kelly Cup - Brabham Cup - All-Star Game - Awards - Defunct teams - Hall of Fame - Arenas - Other Professional Hockey Leagues
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