Walleye coach Nick Vitucci named defenseman Ryan Stokes team captain before yesterday's season opener.
Stokes, 26, has five years of experience in the American Hockey League. He has played for the Houston Aeros, Rockford IceHogs, and Providence Bruins. He has racked up 473 penalty minutes in 229 games in the AHL. Stokes also has 18 assists.
"We have four or five guys that were qualified," Vitucci said. "But Ryan has experience and leadership. He's a consummate pro."
Center Malcolm MacMillan, an ECHL veteran, and center Adam Hobson were named assistant captains.
Hobson had an assist on Maxime Tanguay's power play goal. Stokes was a minus-one with no shots, while MacMillan had a penalty and no shots.
PUCK DROP: Sixteen local dignitaries dropped the ceremonial first puck before last night's game.
The luminaries included Lucas County Commissioners Tina Skeldon Wozniak and Ben Konop, Walleye general manager Joe Napoli, and Vitucci.
Vitucci got a loud ovation from the crowd.
Jeremy Garrett won the contest to be the first fan to drop a puck.
INTENSE INTRO: The night kicked off with an impressive pyrotechnics display.
Blue and yellow flames shot out in front of a tented tunnel leading to the locker rooms.
Fireworks also were ignited during player introductions. The heat could be felt in the stands, and a blanket of smoke remained over the ice for most of the first period.
Video clips of fights and goals also were shown.
The fans also shouted the familiar cheer, "Hit Somebody!" during the climax of the national anthem.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: Three Toledo native jazz artists will be performing the "Star Spangled Banner" prior to this weekend's games.
Ramona Collins offered a beautiful rendition last night. Jean Holden will sing tonight, and Kelly Broadway will lend her vocals tomorrow.
BIG TICKET: Last night's game was a sellout, and tonight's game also is expected to be standing room only.
Less than 900 tickets remained for tonight's game last night. Tickets are still available for tomorrow's contest. Tomorrow is "kids' opening night" and a postgame skate will be held.
EXPERIENCED EVERBLADES: The ECHL's reigning most valuable player and leading scorer Kevin Baker returned to the ice for the Everblades.
Baker, a right winger, scored 57 goals and had 45 assists (102 points) to lead the league last season.
Baker had five shots on goal last night and was a plus-one.
Florida goalie Mike Morrison has played for Edmonton, Ottawa, and Phoenix in the NHL. Morrison had a 2.83 goals-against-average for the Oilers in 21 games during the 2005-06 season.
The Walleye often appeared to want to make the extra pass or pretty play instead of taking a sure shot against Morrison. Vitucci said his team perhaps had a case of nerves in representing the home club in a brand new facility, but only in the first period.
Vitucci also said his rookie goalie, Alec Richards, held up well against the vet.
"They have an NHL goalie, and our guy was playing in his first game," said.
"Our goalie came up with some key saves. Alec did a great job."'
Contact Mark Monroe at:
mmonroe@theblade.com
or 419-724-6354.
First Published October 17, 2009, 10:59 a.m.
