Ex-Walleye Glendening to make NHL debut

10/12/2013

Former Toledo Walleye Luke Glendening will make his NHL debut today after the Detroit Red Wings called up the young forward.

Glendening started his pro career in Toledo last October and played in 27 games for the Walleye before earning a promotion to the American Hockey League.

Glendening tallied 21 points for the Walleye, scoring 14 goals to go along with seven assists. Glendening also was selected to represent Toledo at the ECHL all-star game last January. But he was promoted to Grand Rapids on Dec. 17 and never returned to the Walleye.

The Red Wings host the Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena today at 7 p.m. Glendening is expected to be the center on Detroit's fourth line.

Glendening, a 24-year-old native of East Grand Rapids, helped Grand Rapids win a Calder Cup title last season. He produced 26 points (8 goals and 18 assists) over 51 regular-season contests.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound forward spent four years at the University of Michigan before joining the Walleye. He was captain at Michigan during his junior and senior years, finishing his college career with 70 points (31 G, 39 A) in 165 games with the Wolverines from 2008-12.

“I learned what it's like to be a pro in Toledo,” Glendening told The Blade this summer. “It's about showing up every day. I think it was huge for me and my development.”

Glendening caught the eye of Red Wings coach Mike Babcock after the NHL lockout ended last season.

The Walleye play their only home preseason game today against Kalamazoo at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $5 and seats are general admission. All proceeds benefit the Walleye Wishing Well.

Toledo, which opens the regular season on the road at Fort Wayne next Saturday, lost 5-1 to Kalamazoo on Wednesday.