Walleye re-sign steady defenseman Obuchowski

Toledo's Ryan Obuchowski, who re-signed with the Walleye on Wednesday, sends the puck flying in the first period of the ECHL Central Division final Game 2 against the Fort Wayne Komets at the Huntington Center last season.

The Toledo Walleye announced the re-signing of reliable defenseman Ryan Obuchowski today.

Obuchowski, a native of West Bloomfield, Mich., appeared in all 72 regular-season games last season for the Walleye. He also played in all 10 Kelly Cup playoff games for Toledo.

The 6-foot-1 and 185-pound defenseman ranked third on the team in assists with 30. Obuchowski also chipped in with five goals.

“Ryan is a smart, extremely solid defenseman who excelled for us last season,” Walleye coach Dan Watson said. “His willingness to complete is impressive as he battles for every inch on the ice.”

The 26-year-old led the Walleye with a plus-minus rating of plus-28, which is the fourth highest in Walleye history.

In his first professional season, Obuchowski was a member of the ECHL's Missouri Mavericks, where he posted a pair of goals with 14 assists over 69 contests.

Obuchowski attended Yale University from 2012-16, appearing in 134 games. He finished his college career with 16 goals, 36 assists, and 60 penalty minutes, and was a plus-42.

Obuchowski joins Kevin Tansey and Kevin Lohan as returnees on the Toledo blue line along with newcomer Brenden Kotyk.