Fans vote Emmerson favorite Walleye player

3/31/2012
BLADE STAFF
Riley Emmerson
Riley Emmerson

Walleye left-wing Riley Emmerson, a midseason acquisition from the Utah Grizzlies, attracted voters only a political candidate can dream of and was the landslide winner in the Blade's "My Favorite Walleye" contest.

PHOTOS: Season finale: Toledo vs. Kalamazoo

Emmerson, 26, garnered 67.1 percent of the 6,421 votes cast in the weeklong voting period. The 6-foot-8 and 255-pound native of Vancouver brought a lunch-pail mentality to the Walleye, giving an honest,blue-collar effort and brought six years of pro experience to the young team.

Emmerson was presented a commemorative front page of The Blade recognizing his status as a fan favorite before Saturday night's game.

Emmerson was a seventh-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2005 and made his pro debut in 2006. He has played for four other ECHL teams: the Texas Wildcatters, Florida Everblades, Stockton Thunder, and Utah.

Emmerson also has appeared in 46 games in the American Hockey League.

"I love Toledo," Emmerson said. "I love playing in front of a good, loud crowd. The facilities here are amazing and they take care of you well here."

In 32 games with the Walleye, Emmerson has racked up 115 penalty minutes. He also has scored two goals and has dished out two assists. In 296 pro games, he has compiled 788 penalty minutes.

Defenseman Kyle Page was second in the contest voting with 23.3 percent, followed by defenseman Phil Rauch, right-wing Kyle Rogers, left-wing Joey Martin, and goalies Thomas McCollum and Alec Richards.

COMMEMORATIVE PAGE: Riley Emmerson voted Favorite Walleye