http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:10:39 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/29/walleye-bring-back-durable-defenseman-nick-andrews/stories/20260729101 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/29/walleye-bring-back-durable-defenseman-nick-andrews/stories/20260729101#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:07:15 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/29/walleye-bring-back-durable-defenseman-nick-andrews/stories/20260729101 Defenseman Nick Andrews, who played in all 72 games for the Toledo Walleye last season, has signed a new contract with the team. Toledo’s Nick Andrews takes a shot during an ECHL hockey game between the Toledo Walleye and Indy Fuel at the Huntington Center in Toledo on March 27. Toledo’s Nick Andrews hits the puck down the ice during an ECHL hockey game between the Toledo Walleye and Wichita Thunder at the Huntington Center in Toledo on March 8. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/28/walleyes-gylander-signs-two-way-contract-red-wings-organization/stories/20260728121 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/28/walleyes-gylander-signs-two-way-contract-red-wings-organization/stories/20260728121#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:46:40 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/28/walleyes-gylander-signs-two-way-contract-red-wings-organization/stories/20260728121 Toledo Walleye goaltender Carter Gylander signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, keeping him in the organization he has played with the past two seasons. Toledo's Carter Gylander (31) as the Walleye face off against the Indianapolis Fuel on Dec. 7, 2025, at the Huntington Center in Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/27/walleye-sign-former-ohio-state-forward-quinn-preston/stories/20260727071 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/27/walleye-sign-former-ohio-state-forward-quinn-preston/stories/20260727071#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:41:31 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/27/walleye-sign-former-ohio-state-forward-quinn-preston/stories/20260727071 The Toledo Walleye have signed Quinn Preston, a forward who started his career in Toledo after playing four years at Ohio State University. The Walleye have signed forward Quinn Preston (34), who skates after a puck during an ECHL game against Fort Wayne on April 1, 2022 at the Huntington Center in Toledo. He started his pro career in Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/25/close-connection-former-bgsu-hockey-players-find-success-toledo-walleye/stories/20260724085 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/25/close-connection-former-bgsu-hockey-players-find-success-toledo-walleye/stories/20260724085#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/25/close-connection-former-bgsu-hockey-players-find-success-toledo-walleye/stories/20260724085 Orange and brown hockey jerseys are scattered through the crowd at Toledo Walleye games at the Huntington Center. The Bowling Green State University hockey program has had a decades-long connection with Toledo’s ECHL franchise that has only grown since the Walleye’s inception in 2009. BGhockey20pBowling Green's Sam Craggs (25) cheers after scoring on Alaska Anchorage in the first period of the Friday, January 19, 2018, hockey matchup at the Slater Family Ice Arena in Bowling Green. Toledo’s Sam Craggs celebrates his first period goal during an ECHL hockey game between the Toledo Walleye and Cincinnati Cyclones at the Huntington Center in Toledo on Dec. 30, 2023. BGhockey20pBowling Green's Brandon Kruse (28) is challenged on the approach by Alaska Anchorage's David Trinkberger (27) in the third period of the January 19, 2018, hockey matchup at the Slater Family Ice Arena in Bowling Green. Toledo Walleye forward Brandon Kruse (28) wins a faceoff against the Norfolk Admirals in an ECHL hockey game on Feb. 3, 2024 at the Huntington Center in Toledo. Bowling Green State University's Sean Walker (28) is surrounded by teammates Pierre-Luc Mercier (2), Brandon Hawkins (16), Brent Tate (23), and Kevin Dufour (1) after scoring a goal against Bemidji State during the first period of game two of the WCHA playoff series on March 12, 2016, in Bowling Green. Toledo’s Brandon Hawkins celebrates a goal during the second period of an ECHL hockey game in at the Huntington Center downtown Toledo on March 29. Robert Morris’ Gabriel Lunn, left, and Bowling Green’s Jaden Grant battle for position during a college hockey exhibition between Bowling Green State University and Robert Morris University at BGSU’s Slater Family Ice Arena in Bowling Green on Oct. 4, 2025. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/24/walleye-re-sign-6-3-forward-funk/stories/20260724082 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/24/walleye-re-sign-6-3-forward-funk/stories/20260724082#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2026 19:25:56 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/24/walleye-re-sign-6-3-forward-funk/stories/20260724082 The Walleye have re-signed forward Reilly Funk, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound center who started his pro career with Toledo last season. Toledo’s Reilly Funk gets tripped by Wheeling’s Aidan Sutter during the first period of an ECHL hockey game at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo on April 17. Toledo’s Reilly Funk drives the puck past Cincinnati’s Jake Johnson during an ECHL hockey game between the Toledo Walleye and the Cincinnati Cyclones at the Huntington Center in Toledo on April 10. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/22/walleye-re-sign-productive-forward-van-wyhe/stories/20260722098 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/22/walleye-re-sign-productive-forward-van-wyhe/stories/20260722098#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:43:57 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/22/walleye-re-sign-productive-forward-van-wyhe/stories/20260722098 Forward Garrett Van Wyhe, who was acquired in a trade by the Toledo Walleye near the middle of last season, has re-signed with the team. Toledo’s Garrett Van Wyhe holds onto the puck past Bloomington’s Brenden Datema during the third period in the Central Division semifinal hockey game at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo on April 22. Toledo’s Garrett Van Wyhe moves the puck towards the goal during the first period of an ECHL hockey game at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo, on March 1. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/20/walleye-bring-former-bgsu-forward-kruse-back-into-fold/stories/20260720088 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/20/walleye-bring-former-bgsu-forward-kruse-back-into-fold/stories/20260720088#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:11:24 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/20/walleye-bring-former-bgsu-forward-kruse-back-into-fold/stories/20260720088 Forward Brandon Kruse, a Bowling Green State University graduate, has re-signed with the Toledo Walleye for a fourth season. Toledo’s Brandon Kruse pushes Indy’s Max Coyle during the first period of an ECHL playoff hockey game at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo on April 18, 2025. Toledo’s Brandon Kruse receives the puck during a hockey game between the Toledo Walleye and the Fort Wayne Komets at the Huntington Center on April 18, 2025. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/16/walleye-re-sign-defenseman-dylan-moulton/stories/20260716097 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/16/walleye-re-sign-defenseman-dylan-moulton/stories/20260716097#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:17:02 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/16/walleye-re-sign-defenseman-dylan-moulton/stories/20260716097 Defenseman Dylan Moulton has re-signed with the Toledo Walleye for a third consecutive season. Toledo’s Dylan Moulton shoots the puck during game one of the ECHL divisional finals between the Fort Wayne Komets and Toledo Walleye at the Huntington Center in 2025 in Toledo. Toledo’s Dylan Moulton celebrates a late goal during the third period of an ECHL hockey game in at the Huntington Center downtown Toledo on March 29. The Walleye defeated the Bloomington Bison, 4-3. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/14/walleye-sign-veteran-forward-zech-as-roster-begins-to-take-shape/stories/20260714081 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/14/walleye-sign-veteran-forward-zech-as-roster-begins-to-take-shape/stories/20260714081#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2026 21:17:11 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/14/walleye-sign-veteran-forward-zech-as-roster-begins-to-take-shape/stories/20260714081 The Toledo Walleye have signed Cooper Zech, an experienced defenseman who has played in 144 games in the American Hockey League. Defenseman Cooper Zech has signed with the Walleye. The 27-year-old played the past two seasons for the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom. Last season, he produced 21 points with four goals and 17 assists to go along with 22 penalty minutes. Cooper Zech celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the game between Nottingham Panthers and Guildford Flames in the Challenge Cup at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/13/homegrown-hockey-maumee-s-ben-schoen-eager-to-join-walleye-organization/stories/20260713084 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/13/homegrown-hockey-maumee-s-ben-schoen-eager-to-join-walleye-organization/stories/20260713084#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:46:11 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/13/homegrown-hockey-maumee-s-ben-schoen-eager-to-join-walleye-organization/stories/20260713084 Growing up a hockey prodigy in Maumee, Ben Schoen loved the energy and passion he saw at Toledo Walleye games. Ben Schoen, who has signed with the Toledo Walleye, takes a shot during Penn State's game against Wisconsin on March 5. The Maumee native played four seasons at Penn State. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/10/maumee-native-ben-schoen-signs-walleye/stories/20260710088 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/10/maumee-native-ben-schoen-signs-walleye/stories/20260710088#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2026 21:22:09 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/10/maumee-native-ben-schoen-signs-walleye/stories/20260710088 Maumee native Ben Schoen has officially signed his contract to join the Toledo Walleye for the 2026-27 season. Forward Ben Schoen, a Maumee native who played four seasons at Penn State, officially signed a contract with the Toledo Walleye on Friday. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/08/former-bgsu-forward-jaden-grant-signs-with-walleye/stories/20260708094 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/08/former-bgsu-forward-jaden-grant-signs-with-walleye/stories/20260708094#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:49:09 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/08/former-bgsu-forward-jaden-grant-signs-with-walleye/stories/20260708094 Jaden Grant, who wrapped up his collegiate career at Bowling Green State University in the spring, has agreed to terms with the Toledo Walleye for the 2026-27 season. Bowling Green’s Jaden Grant keeps the puck away from Minnesota State’s Mason Wheeler during a college hockey game at BGSU’s Slater Family Ice Arena in Bowling Green, on Feb. 21. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/02/sam-craggs-returning-6th-season-walleye/stories/20260702124 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/02/sam-craggs-returning-6th-season-walleye/stories/20260702124#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:04:06 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/07/02/sam-craggs-returning-6th-season-walleye/stories/20260702124 A Toledo Walleye mainstay is remaining with the team, as forward Sam Craggs agreed to terms for the 2026-27 season on Thursday. Toledo’s Sam Craggs skates with the puck during an ECHL hockey game between the Toledo Walleye and Wichita Thunder at the Huntington Center in Toledo on March 8. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/30/walleye-captain-brandon-hawkins-resigns-for-2026-27-season/stories/20260630094 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/30/walleye-captain-brandon-hawkins-resigns-for-2026-27-season/stories/20260630094#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:29:04 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/30/walleye-captain-brandon-hawkins-resigns-for-2026-27-season/stories/20260630094 Toledo Walleye captain Brandon Hawkins is returning to Toledo for the 2026-27 season for the forward’s sixth campaign with the team. Toledo’s Brandon Hawkins celebrates a goal during the second period of an ECHL hockey game in at the Huntington Center downtown Toledo on March 29. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/26/red-wings-trade-former-walleye-g-cossa-mammoth-nhl-draft/stories/20260626105 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/26/red-wings-trade-former-walleye-g-cossa-mammoth-nhl-draft/stories/20260626105#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2026 03:10:39 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/26/red-wings-trade-former-walleye-g-cossa-mammoth-nhl-draft/stories/20260626105 BUFFALO — A former Toledo Walleye goaltender who is working toward a promotion to the NHL will have to do so with another organization. Toledo’s Sebastian Cossa reaches out for the puck on an Idaho shot during game five of the Western Conference Finals of the ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs between the Toledo Walleye and Idaho Steelheads at the Huntington Center in Toledo on May 27, 2023. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/25/walleye-defenseman-alternate-captain-swoyer-retires/stories/20260625097 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/25/walleye-defenseman-alternate-captain-swoyer-retires/stories/20260625097#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:54:09 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/25/walleye-defenseman-alternate-captain-swoyer-retires/stories/20260625097 Toledo Walleye defenseman Colin Swoyer, who was an alternate captain for the team last season, has retired. Toledo Walleye defenseman Colin Swoyer takes a shot on Wheeling Nailers goalie Sergei Murashov during the first period of an ECHL hockey game in 2024 at the Huntington Center in Toledo. Toledo’s Brendon Michaelian and Colin Swoyer celebrate a goal Tahoe’s during the first period of an ECHL hockey game at the Huntington Center in downtown on March 20. Colin Swoyer of the Toledo Walleye helps Jaxon Montanto, 5, pick out colors to decorate a jersey at ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital in Toledo on March 25. Toledo's Colin Swoyer (24) as the Walleye face off against the Indianapolis Fuel on Dec. 7 at the Huntington Center in Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/24/echl-increase-use-two-ref-system/stories/20260624104 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/24/echl-increase-use-two-ref-system/stories/20260624104#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:18:40 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/24/echl-increase-use-two-ref-system/stories/20260624104 More ECHL games will feature two referees this season. A referee breaks up a fight between Toledo’s Andrew Sturtz, left, and Wichita’s Cameron Hough during an ECHL hockey game between the Toledo Walleye and Wichita Thunder at the Huntington Center in Toledo in 2023. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/23/15-forwards-4-defensemen-goalie-among-players-on-walleye-protected-list/stories/20260623111 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/23/15-forwards-4-defensemen-goalie-among-players-on-walleye-protected-list/stories/20260623111#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2026 20:37:31 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/23/15-forwards-4-defensemen-goalie-among-players-on-walleye-protected-list/stories/20260623111 Work on constructing the Toledo Walleye roster for the 2026-27 season is now fully under way. Toledo’s goalie Matt Jurusik keeps his eye on the puck in the second period of an ECHL hockey game at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo, on Dec. 20, 2025. Toledo players wait for Tahoe’s game winning goal to be reviewed in overtime during an ECHL hockey game between the Toledo Walleye and Tahoe Knight Monsters at the Huntington Center in Toledo on March 22. Toledo’s Tanner Dickinson takes a shot during an ECHL hockey game between the Toledo Walleye and Indy Fuel at the Huntington Center in Toledo on March 27. Toledo celebrates a overtime win against Fort Wayne during a playoff hockey game at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo on May 15. The Walleye defeated the Komets, 3-2 in overtime. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/22/walleye-picked-to-be-visiting-team-for-outdoor-hockey-game-at-kalamazoo/stories/20260622075 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/22/walleye-picked-to-be-visiting-team-for-outdoor-hockey-game-at-kalamazoo/stories/20260622075#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:45:21 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/22/walleye-picked-to-be-visiting-team-for-outdoor-hockey-game-at-kalamazoo/stories/20260622075 The Toledo Walleye will play in an outdoor game once again. Fireworks go off at the conclusion of the Toledo Walleye hockey game against the Indy Fuel as part of Winterfest, Dec. 31, 2021, at Fifth Third Field in Toledo. Walleye right winger Tyler Barnes (7) moves the puck against Kalamazoo defenseman Sacha Guimond (4) and goalie Joel Martin (49) during the second period of the first outdoor hockey game in ECHL history during Winterfest Dec. 27, 2014, at Fifth Third Field in Toledo. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/19/walleye-roster-moves-offseason/stories/20260619099 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/19/walleye-roster-moves-offseason/stories/20260619099#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:11:25 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2026/06/19/walleye-roster-moves-offseason/stories/20260619099 The Toledo Walleye made several significant roster moves on Friday as the team completed four trades to fulfill future consideration obligations in moves made last season. The Walleye acquired forward Greg Smith from Greensboro. Smith totaled 26 points (15 G, 13 A) in 61 games for Greensboro and the Adirondack Thunder last season. The Walleye acquired forward Nick Nardecchia from Wichita. The Macomb, Mich. native posted 20 points (5 G, 15 A) and 36 penalty minutes in 71 games for Wichita. Toledo rookie forward Tanner Kelly was traded to Jacksonville on Friday. Kelly takes a shot during the second game of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs Central Division finals between the Toledo Walleye and Fort Wayne Komets at the Huntington Center in Toledo on May 12. Toledo’s Garrett Van Wyhe moves the puck towards the goal during the first period of an ECHL hockey game at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo on March 1.