Goalie Thomas McCollum will start in net in the season opener for the Toledo Walleye tomorrow night.

The puck will drop at 7:15 p.m. as Toledo hosts the expansion Chicago Express at the Huntington Center.

Yesterday, Walleye goaltender Carter Hutton was recalled by Rockford of the American Hockey League. The move is expected to be short term, however, and McCollum was slated to start tomorrow night.

McCollum, 21, is a former No. 1 draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings. He split last season between Grand Rapids and Toledo, appearing in 20 games with the Griffins and 23 with the Walleye.

McCollum posted an 11-9-2 record and 2.76 goals against average and had three shutouts for Toledo. McCollum became the first Walleye player to appear in an NHL game with the Red Wings in March.

The team also received forward David Toews from Rockford yesterday. Toews, the younger brother of Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews, was drafted in 2008 by the New York Islanders in the third round.

Last year, Toews collected 48 points (20 goals and 28 assists) in 60 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.

Less than 300 tickets remain for the home opener, which also is the first game of the franchise's third season. Tickets can be purchased at toledowalleye.com or by phone at 419-725-WALL.

-- Mark Monroe

First Published October 14, 2011, 4:30 a.m.