Walleye player signs AHL contract

Evan Rankin.

Walleye right wing Evan Rankin takes control of the puck as Reading left wing Dennis McCauley loses his footing.

Former Toledo Walleye forward Evan Rankin, who has scored the most goals in the franchise's history, signed a contract Tuesday with Rochester of the American Hockey League.

Rankin was loaned to Rochester on Nov. 25 last season and never returned to Toledo after excelling for the AHL club. The Walleye then traded the rights to Rankin, who has appeared in more games in a Walleye uniform than any other player, on Jan. 19.

Evan Rankin.

Rankin, 26, signed a player tryout agreement with Rochester last November. He appeared in 35 games with the Americans and recorded 29 points with 15 goals and 14 assists. Rankin also collected one assist while playing in two playoff games with Rochester.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound forward started his pro career in Toledo during the Walleye's inaugural season in 2009-10. He appeared in 143 games and has a franchise-high 65 goals along with 65 assists.

At the time of the trade, Walleye coach Nick Vitucci called Rankin "one of the best players we've ever had."

Vitucci also said Rankin deserved a shot to make it at the next level. Rankin, a native of Portage, Mich., played four years in college at Notre Dame.

Despite playing in just 15 games for Toledo last season, Rankin finished tied for ninth on the team in scoring with 18 points. He scored 10 goals and had 8 assists.

In exchanged for Rankin, the Walleye acquired Riley Emmerson. The forward amassed 115 penalty minutes in 34 games with Toledo, and had two goals and two assists.

Rankin has appeared in 49 career AHL games with Rochester, Grand Rapids, and Manitoba.