Walleye’s roster taking shape

10/5/2013

With training camp set to open on Monday, the Toledo Walleye's roster is rounding into form.

Coach Nick Vitucci had already signed a handful of players to ECHL contracts during the offseason. Now prospects from the team's American Hockey League affiliates in Rockford and Grand Rapids are starting to trickle down.

Rookie goaltender Mac Carruth has been assigned to Toledo from Rockford. The 21-year-old from Wyoming played in the Western Hockey League the last three seasons. Carruth had a 30-7-2 record with a 2.06 goals against average for the Portland Winterhawks.

Rockford also has assigned forward David Gilbert and defenseman Bobby Shea to the Walleye. Gilbert played in 29 games for the Walleye in 2011-12, posting 18 points (6 goals and 12 assists). Shea wrapped up a four-year career at Bowling Green State University last season. He made his pro debut with Reading of the ECHL at the end of last season, playing in just four games.

Grand Rapids has reassigned forward Trevor Parkes and defenseman Max Nicastro to Toledo. Both played for the Walleye last season. Parkes racked up 30 points (14 G, 16 A) in just 19 games with Toledo and then tied for second on the club with five points (3 G, 2 A) in six playoff contests. Nicastro had five points (2 G, 3 A) in nine games for the Walleye.

Grand Rapids also assigned forward Kevin Lynch to the Walleye.

Toledo will be without its leading scorer from last season, Willie Coetzee, who injured his knee in the offseason. Coetzee, who had team highs in goals (28) and assists (40), is expected to be out until February.

Vitucci has signed captain Kyle Rogers. Vitucci also signed two Northview High School graduates, Tyler Pilmore and Alden Hirschfeld.

Other notable re-signs this summer included defensemen Phil Oreskovic and Cody Lampl, and forwards Stephon Thorne and Travis Novak.

Training camp officially opens on Monday at the Huntington Center. Toledo plays its first preseason game at Kalamazoo on Wednesday. The Walleye then host the K-Wings for their only home preseason contest on Saturday. The Walleye open their regular season on Oct. 19 at Fort Wayne. The home opener is Oct. 26 against Wheeling.

Contact Mark Monroe at: mmonroe@theblade.com, 419-724-6354 or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.