Toledo Walleye re-sign Stephon Thorne
8/21/2013The Toledo Walleye have re-signed Stephon Thorne, a forward who was acquired near the midpoint of the 2012-13 season.
Thorne skated in 37 games with Toledo after being claimed off of waivers from ECHL North Division opponent Fort Wayne on Jan. 3
Thorne scored five goals and added six assists along with 58 penalty minutes for the Walleye.
The native of Mississauga, Ontario had two goals, one assist, and 37 penalty minutes in 26 games last year with the Komets.
The self-described blue collar, defensive forward said he will go into the corners and will drop the gloves.
Thorne, 23, was waived by Fort Wayne in early January. He had 32 points (11 G, 21 A) in 64 games in his first pro season with the Komets in 2011-12. Thorne helped lead Fort Wayne to a Central Hockey League title that season.
“We loved the energy and spark to the team that Stephon gave us night in and night out last year,” Walleye coach Nick Vitucci said. “He is also a strong penalty killer and has that knack to do something on the ice right when we need it.”
The 6-foot and 180-pound forward appeared in 189 games in the Ontario Hockey League before turning professional with 32 goals, 25 assists and 236 penalty minutes over four seasons.
He helped lead Brampton of the OHL to the Memorial Cup finals in his first season of junior hockey.