With a nickname like “Danger Zone,” Walleye forward Troy Loggins knows how to deal with high-pressure situations.
Loggins, a 24-year-old rookie, earned the moniker based on the iconic 1980s movie “Top Gun” that featured the hit single from Kenny Loggins.
The Californian takes the nickname in stride.
“It's all in fun,” he said.
But Loggins is deadly serious when it comes to one of the most intense situations in the game — the shootout.
The first-year forward has become the go-to choice for Walleye coach Dan Watson to take a turn during penalty-shot situations. When a game can't be decided in regulation or overtime, it goes to a one-on-one shootout between the goaltender and skater.
Loggins leads the ECHL with two game-winning shootout goals.
“I've always loved the shootout,” Loggins said. “It's always something that I've like to do. I practice it a lot. It's nice when it works out in the game.”
With an extra point for his team on the line, Loggins has a couple of choice moves he can rely on when he's staring down the goalie.
“I would say I have a move in mind,” he said, “and then I read off what the goalie does and just try to score.”
Watson said Loggins, who had a stellar four-year college career at Northern Michigan University, said Loggins has earned his reputation as a clutch contributor.
“Troy has tremendous individual skill, from his speed to his puck handling and his ability to shoot the puck,” Watson said. “His attention to detail has gotten to a level where we can trust him in pressure situations.”
Loggins ranks seventh on the team in scoring with 21 points in 35 games. He has scored 10 goals to go along with 11 assists.
On Jan. 24, Loggins helped Toledo earn an extra point when he scored the decisive goal in a 3-2 shootout win over Atlanta. Loggins showed great patience on the play, holding onto the puck until finally scoring with a quick shot.
“It's great that [Watson] trusts me to go out there in the shootout,” Loggins said. “We practice it a lot. We will do a couple moves on the goalie. Then you pick your spot [to shoot]. It's different every time.”
It's not uncommon to hear the familiar tune “Danger Zone” after Loggins scores a goal.
“That's caught on here, for sure,” Loggins said. “It started out with people calling me Kenny. I don't even know where Danger Zone came from. But I get those questions about whether I'm related to him.”
To be clear, he is not.
“I'm not too worried about it,” Loggins said, chuckling.
Instead, Loggins said he is focused on continuing to hone his craft. As a senior at Northern Michigan last season, he was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the Year after recording 40 points (23 G, 17 A) in 39 games.
Loggins signed a three-year contract with Toledo's American Hockey League affiliate in Grands Rapids last March. He played four games for the Griffins at the end of last year, posting one goal. He also has been called up once this season and has two assists in five AHL games.
Loggins has played in 24 straight games for the Walleye and is on an ECHL best four-game goal-scoring streak on the road.
“I think his game has grown a tremendous amount since the beginning of the year,” Watson said. “He has come in and earned his ice time by working hard and wanting to get better.”
A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., Loggins said he grew up surfing. Loggins said he became enamored with ice hockey when he started watching the Los Angeles Kings.
“My parents got me a puck and a stick and then I got roller blades,” he said. “It started in my front yard. I played street hockey and roller hockey.”
He played alongside his brother, Luke, and the siblings then started playing ice hockey.
“I started getting recruited by junior teams when I was 16 and then I left to play juniors when I was 18,” he said. “Then I committed to Northern Michigan.”
Loggins said the biggest adjustment to pro hockey is playing in nearly twice as many games.
“It's been great playing for the Walleye,” he said. “We have a really good team here. It's a good coaching staff and a great fan base. It's a great rink. I've been having fun with it.”
The Walleye (25-13-4) are 10 points behind Cincinnati for first place in the Central Division. Toledo squares off against the Cyclones three times this weekend. The Walleye play at Cincinnati on Friday before hosting the Cyclones on Saturday and Sunday.
“It's a big weekend for us,” Loggins said. “There are a lot of points to be had. It will be a good challenge.”
Toledo, which saw a season-high five-game winning streak snapped on Saturday, ranks third in the ECHL in goals scored per game (3.81).
“We've been playing good defensively and obviously the offensive numbers are there, as well,” Loggins said. “We just need to keep playing as hard as we have been.”
ROSTER MOVE: Grand Rapids assigned center Gregor MacLeod to the Walleye on Tuesday. MacLeod, a 21-year-old rookie, has contributed six points (3 G, 3 A) and two penalty minutes in 22 games for the Griffins. A native of Nova Scotia, MacLeod spent the previous three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
On the Hook with Troy Loggins
■ Hockey player you admired growing up: Paul Kariya
■ People you most admire: Parents, Phil and Kim
■ Favorite sport other than hockey: “Basketball. I like watching the NBA. I like to shoot some hoops.”
■ Favorite meal: Steak, potatoes, and broccoli
■ Have you ever eaten walleye?: “I don't think I have.”
■ Favorite beverage: Gatorade (light blue)
■ Favorite movie: Step Brothers
■ Favorite TV show: The Office
■ Favorite website: Instagram
■ Hidden talent: “I'm a pretty good surfer.”
First Published February 4, 2020, 11:08 p.m.
