The Toledo Walleye have re-signed Marcus Vela, a forward who appeared in 49 games for the team in 2019-2020.

Vela finished with 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points with the Walleye as a rookie.

The 24-year-old from Burnaby, B.C. played last season for the Florida Everblades after the Walleye opted out. He appeared in 29 games, producing nine points with five goals and four assists.

Toledo coach Dan Watson said Vela brings versatility to the team.

“He has the ability to play up and down the lineup, both center and wing as well,” Watson said. “Marcus adds value off the ice with his preparation and willingness to get better each day. He gained valuable experience playing last season in Florida and we look forward to working with him again.”

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward was a seventh-round selection by the San Jose Sharks in the 2015 NHL entry draft.

Before turning pro, Vela 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.

Vela started his pro career at the tail-end of the 2018-19 season when he played in six games in the American Hockey League. He had two assists in six games for the San Jose 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 coming to Toledo in a trade for defenseman Marcus Crawford.

The Walleye have now officially announced the signings of four players: defensemen Cole Fraser and Gordi Myer, and forwards Brandon Schultz and Vela.

SPEZIA BACK: Former Bowling Green State University forward Tyler Spezia, who has played in 79 games for the Walleye, also will remain in the Detroit Red Wings organization.

Spezia re-signed on Wednesday with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Walleye's AHL affiliate. The Red Wings are the NHL parent club of the Walleye and Griffins.

Spezia, a native of Clinton Township, Mich., started his pro career in Toledo in 2018-19.

The 28-year-old had spent his first two seasons as a pro splitting time between Toledo and Grand Rapids.

In 79 career regular-season games for the Walleye since 2018-19, Spezia has produced 59 points with 21 goals and 38 assists along with 62 penalty minutes.

Last season, Spezia played in 26 games for Grand Rapids. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound forward posted eight points with five goals and three assists.

Spezia played in 22 games with Grand Rapids and in 21 games for the Walleye. For the Griffins, he contributed six goals and three assists for nine points while posting 18 penalty minutes. For the Walleye, he recorded 20 points (10 G, 10 G) and 26 penalty minutes.

Spezia was Toledo’s top-scoring rookie in 2018-19 when he finished with 39 points (11 G, 28 A) in 58 games. In the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Spezia tallied 12 points (3 G, 9 A) in 24 contests as he helped lead the Walleye the organization's first appearance in the Kelly Cup Finals.

Before turning pro, Spezia spent four seasons at BGSU (2014 to 2018), where he collected 72 points (34 G, 38 A) in 147 games.

First Published August 4, 2021, 8:42 p.m.