TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Walleye are set to return home after starting off the season on the road for a five-game stretch split between Illinois and Idaho.
The Walleye opened the season with a bang in Bloomington by sweeping the newest team in the ECHL's Central Division for a 2-0 start. The trip to Idaho ended with a win, an overtime loss and a regulation loss, good for an overall start of 3-1-1.
Fans had a chance to catch the Fish at home during preseason play in mid-October against the Kalamazoo Wings, but the wait has once again stretched into November for the home-opening weekend.
Unless you've watched the Walleye in action against the Bloomington Bison, Idaho Steelheads or made it to the Huntington Center in preseason play, there is a lot to know about this year's roster and new rules at the rink.
Read on to find out more about the additions, over a dozen familiar faces, promo and theme night schedules and what to expect when you head to a home game:
Noteworthy new forwards
- #8 - Casey Dornbach, 27, joined the Walleye from the Iowa Heartlanders (55 games played, 47 points)
- #15 - Gabriel Seger, 24, will likely split time between the Red Wings' top AHL farm team in Grand Rapids and Toledo this season
- #17 - Tyler Spezia, 31, is back for a third season with the Walleye after 5 seasons playing for Grand Rapids
- #21 - Carson Bantle, 22, is another player who will likely spend time with the Walleye and Griffins after inking a two-year AHL contract with Grand Rapids
- #77 - Griffin Ness, 24, was acquired by Toledo from the Maine Mariners in exchange for defenseman Cole Cameron
Noteworthy new defensemen
- #5 - Jalen Smereck, 27, is a Detroit native with plenty of ties to the area and an impressive resume with back-to-back, point-per-game seasons for the Cincinnati Cyclones. The ECHL All-Star is arguably one of the best defensemen in the league and one to watch
- #27 - Chaz Reddekopp, 27, is a familiar face to Walleye fans and logged 194 penalty minutes in 67 regular season games for the Kalamazoo Wings last season. Reddekopp is on a Griffins contract, but will likely spend most of the season in Toledo
Others: #6 - Tanner Palocsik, #24 - Colin Swoyer, #13 - Anthony Firriolo
Noteworthy new goaltenders
Toledo has already seen some rotation in goaltenders thanks to recalls and reassignments by Grand Rapids and Detroit. But there are two new faces that Walleye fans will probably see a lot of this season:
- #32 - Carter Gylander, 23, is a 6-foot-5-inch tall Red Wings draft pick, taken in the 7th round, 191st overall of the 2019 draft. Gylander is in his first full pro season and has made two appearances for the Walleye
- #33 - Gage Alexander, 22, was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 5th round of the 2021 draft. Alexander was acquired by Detroit via trade July 3 in exchange for forward Robby Fabbri and a conditional 4th round pick, and spent last season with the ECHL's Tulsa Oilers
Familiar faces
- #30 - Jan Bednar, 21, is in his third year with Toledo and his second full season. Bednar is on a Griffins contract and alongside Gylander and Alexander, will round out the goaltender rotation for the Walleye
- Other returning players are forwards #7 Sam Craggs, #14 Dalton Messina, #16 Brandon Hawkins, #18 Trenton Bliss, #23 Conlan Keenan, #28 Brandon Kruse, #29 Darian Pilon and #67 Mitchell Lewandowski
- Returning on defense are #4 Thomas Farrell, #11 Brendan Michaelian and #61 Grant Gabriele
Falcon factor
With Toledo's close proximity to Bowling Green State University, it makes sense that the Falcons have a strong presence on the Walleye roster. Such is the case this season as many players are reuniting as pros after playing college hockey together or for BGSU.
- #7 - Forward Sam Craggs, 26 (BGSU, 2017-22)
- #12 - Forward Josh Nodler, 23 (BGSU, 2023-24)
- #16 - Forward Brandon Hawkins, 29 (BGSU, 2014-16)
- #17 - Forward Tyler Spezia, 31 (BGSU, 2014-18)
- #28 - Forward Brandon Kruse, 25 (BGSU, 2017-21)
Michigan made
Bowling Green isn't the only team that contributed to Toledo. Four players reunite from Michigan Tech for this year's roster.
- #18 - Forward Trenton Bliss, 26 (Michigan Tech, 2018-22)
- #24 - Defenseman Colin Swoyer, 26 (Michigan Tech, 2018-22)
- #25 - Defenseman Jed Pietla, 25 (Michigan Tech, 2020-24)
- #21 - Forward Carson Bantle, 22 (2020-21) (Currently with Grand Rapids)
Promoted
- Forward Alexander Doucet, with 52 regular season games and 41 points and 6 points in 14 playoff games for the Walleye, has logged 1 assist in 4 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins
- Defenseman Matt Anderson, who suited up for 68 regular season games and 14 playoff games for the Walleye last season, earned an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies
Notable departures
- John Lethemon, the 2023 ECHL Goaltender of the Year, signed with Lukko in Finland's top pro hockey league Liiga with a 5-5-3 record through his first 13 starts
- Forward Orrin Centazzo, who was top five in regular-season scoring last season for the Walleye, joined HK Poprad in Slovakia with 9 points in 14 games
- Forward Riley Sawchuk, coming off a 52-point regular season for Toledo, has logged 11 points in 18 games so far this season with KooKoo in Liiga
- Defenseman Riley McCourt, tied with Sawchuk in regular season points last year, signed with the Augsburger Panther of the DEL, Germany's top league, and has 5 points in 10 games
Game day
Now that you've met the team, here are a few things to keep in mind when you make your way to a home game:
New entrance
This change is already in effect at the Huntington Center, with preseason play being one of the first times that fans experienced the new way of getting into the arena.
There are three entrances to the Huntington Center from Huron Street, Madison Avenue and the sky bridge that connects the Glass City Center and Port Lawrence Garage.
The bridge will take you to the concourse level; Huron Street will take you to the ground level and to the Swamp Shop with stairs, elevators or an escalator to go to and from the concourse level; and Madison Avenue has stairs or an elevator to go to and from the concourse.
The new Huron Street point of entry replaces the previous Jefferson Avenue entrance, which is now exit only. Huron Street, which was previously an exit only, will be the primary entrance for most fans.
New bag policy
The Huntington Center started a new bag policy on July 1, 2024. The policy now only allows clear bags that are 12-inch by 6-inch by 12-inch, and clutch purses that are 4.5-inch by 6.5-inch. Diaper bags are also allowed.
Although fans have received bags that are not clear in the past, such as ones included with the Blue Line Bundle, these bags are no longer allowed inside the Huntington Center under the new bag policy.
No large bags or boxes are allowed without prior approval.
Fans should expect bag checks and metal detectors as in years past.
Still cashless
The Huntington Center is still a cashless venue. Credit and debit cards are accepted, along with tap-to-pay using Google Wallet or Apple Pay.
Summit Street construction
If your route to or from the Huntington Center normally included taking Summit Street through the Cherry Street intersection, you will need to use a different route for at least the first portion of the season.
Summit Street is closed in both directions between Cherry Street and Jackson Street for a construction project that is expected to last through January. One lane of Cherry Street is open from Superior Street to the MLK Bridge in both directions.
When heading toward the Huntington Center, an alternate route is to turn right onto Cherry Street and left onto Huron Street (one way) for the Huron Street entrance, or left onto Superior Street for the Madison Avenue entrance.
When going from the Huntington Center, you need to take Erie Street (one way) or Superior Street to Cherry Street.
Promo schedule
Giveaways:
- Nov. 1: LED rally towels
- Nov. 2: LED rally towels
- Nov. 8: Camo military hat (first 1,200 fans)
- Nov. 9: Cowboy hat (first 1,200 fans)
- Nov. 13: School folders
- Nov. 22: Purple cowbell (first 2,500 fans)
- Nov. 23: Kids' neon sunglasses (first 1,000 kids, 12 and under)
- Nov. 29: Turkey hat drop (dropping 2,000 total from the rafters over seats)
- Dec. 4: School folders
- Dec. 6: Snowman ornament (first 1,500 fans)
- Dec. 27: Phone wallet (first 2,500 fans)
- Jan. 5: Peanuts mug (first 1,500 fans)
- Jan. 10: Derek Lalonde bobblehead (former Walleye coach, current Red Wings head coach) (first 1,500 fans)
- Jan. 24: Mini FanBoni (first 1,500 fans)
- Jan. 26: Kids' water bottle (first 1,000 kids, 12 and under)
- Feb. 2: Kids' headband (first 1,000 kids, 12 and under)
- Feb. 8: Youth football (first 1,000 kids, 12 and under)
- Feb. 21: Toledo Storm Brandon Hawkins bobblehead (first 1,500 fans)
- March 21: Mini Big Cowbell (first 1,500 fans)
- March 23: "Fins & Feathers item" (first 2,500 fans)
- April 11: Beach towel (first 1,500 fans)
- April 13: LED rally towels
Promo and theme nights:
- Nov. 1-2: Opening weekend
- Nov. 8: Military Appreciation Night*
- Nov. 9: Country Night
- Nov. 22: Hockey Fights Cancer*
- Nov. 23: Glow Night
- Dec. 6: Christmas Vacation*
- Dec. 7: Teddy Bear Toss
- Dec. 29: Marvel Night*
- Jan. 4: Prince & Princess Night
- Jan. 5: Peanuts Night*
- Jan. 10: Red Wings Mashup*
- Jan. 24-25: Players Weekend*
- Jan. 26: Paws & Pucks
- Jan. 31: Mental Health Awareness Night
- Feb. 2: Her Hockey Day
- Feb. 8: Toledo Bullfrogs Night*
- Feb. 21: STEAM Night/Hockey Heritage*
- Feb. 23: Kids Takeover*
- March 1: Pink in the Rink
- March 5: St. CatTrick's Day*
- March 8: Battle of the Badges*
- March 9: Faith & Family
- March 22: Rock the Rink*
- March 23: Fins & Feathers*
- April 11: Margaritaville Night*
- April 13: Fan Appreciation Night
*Specialty jersey night
Visit the Toledo Walleye website for more info on promotions, giveaways and theme nights.
Opening weekend
The Walleye return to Toledo for back-to-back home games on Nov. 1, against the Wheeling Nailers, and Nov. 2 against the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Puck drop is at 7:15 p.m. for both nights. Tickets are available online through the Toledo Walleye's website.
