The Toledo Walleye have re-signed Marcus Vela, a forward who appeared in 49 games for the team last season.
Vela, 23, finished with 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points with the Walleye as a rookie.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward was assigned to Toledo by the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapid Griffins, late last October. Vela was acquired from the San Jose Barracuda in exchange for defenseman Marcus Crawford.
Walleye coach Dan Watson said Vela was a bright spot for the team last season.
“He was somewhat of a surprise for us,” Watson said. “He is very versatile and can play in any situation. He plays a responsible, 200-foot game and brings quality leadership attributes to the table.”
A seventh-round selection by the San Jose Sharks in the 2015 NHL entry draft, Vela started his career at the tail-end of the 2018-19 season when he played in six games in the AHL. He had two assists in six games for the Barracuda.
In his first full professional season, Vela also skated in three games with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears. He recorded one assist and six penalty minutes.
Before turning pro, the Burnaby, B.C. native, had a four-year career at the University of New Hampshire. Vela amassed 58 points (24 G, 34 A) and 112 penalty minutes in 135 games from 2015-2019 in his college career.
First Published October 1, 2020, 5:45 p.m.
