Some call it research and development, while others jokingly call it straight-up thievery, but several former Walleye hockey players continue to use what they learned in Toledo as head coaches.
Toledo has produced a handful of Walleye players who are now at the helm of their own teams.
Former Walleye forward Troy Schwab, who played for the team in 2014-15, now coaches the Charlotte Rush of the United States Premier Hockey League.
Schwab said he learned about the importance of instilling a winning culture from Walleye coaches Derek Lalonde and Dan Watson.
“When I came to Toledo there was a huge emphasis on culture and the way you treat people,” Schwab said. “The way I run video sessions, team meetings, and practices are very similar to the way [Lalonde] and Watty ran things when I was in Toledo. I call it research and development when you steal other coaches' practice drills. I have stolen a lot from [Lalonde] and Watty.”
Physical forward Adam Keefe played for both of Toledo's ECHL franchises, the Storm and the Walleye under Nick Vitucci. He is now a highly-successful coach for the Belfast Giants in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
Keefe, who played in Toledo for three seasons, has led his team to two league titles since taking over the team based in the United Kingdom in 2017.
“I learned a lot from Nick and Dan,” Keefe said. “You take a little bit from every coach you’ve had. But Nick and Dan taught me to just be myself and treat players with the same respect that I would like them to treat me with. Both of them are great people who had a huge impact on me as a player, person, and now as a coach today. Bring in good people in your organization, and good things will happen.”
Watson said he takes pride in seeing his former players enter the coaching ranks.
“I think it's great that players want to stay in the game and help others reach their goals. Coaching is really the next closest thing to playing,” Watson said. “We've created an environment in Toledo where players can learn about everything hockey and non-hockey related. The players who have gone on to become great coaches were all well-liked in the room, were leaders, and were team-first guys.”
Alden Hirschfeld, a Sylvania native who played under Watson and Lalonde, is now an assistant coach with the Walleye.
Hirschfeld, who saw his career cut short due to injury, said he always wanted to stay involved in hockey through coaching.
“I love the opportunity to try and help guys move on to the next level,” Hirschfeld said. “Dan is great to work with. We have a very open relationship, and he is willing to help in every way possible. Much like playing for him, you know he will do all he can to try and make you better.”
Other former Walleye players that are now in the coaching field include Brenden Kotyk (South Carolina Stingrays/ECHL), Jared Nightingale (an assistant for Rockford/AHL), and Michael Leone (Green Bay Gamblers/USHL).
The coaches are still in contact with their former Toledo bosses.
“Both Nick Vitucci and Dan Watson have had a very big impact on my career as a player, but probably more so now as a coach,” Keene said. “I lean on them for advice with recruitment still today.”
Watson said he keeps close tabs on his proteges.
“Adam Keefe and I communicate weekly on different subjects like recruiting and systems work,” he said. “Troy has won some championships and has provided a great development model in Charlotte. Brenden is now a head coach in the ECHL, so it's very easy to follow his progression. And having Alden on staff has been amazing. He is a leader, a guy who works extremely hard, and lives the values we want our players to live each day.”
Schwab said he initially came to Toledo at the end of his playing career hoping to join Lalonde's coaching staff.
“I tried to coach in Toledo and ended up going there as a player instead,” he said. “What a great and fortunate turn of events it ended up being.”
Schwab was part of the surge that turned the Walleye into an ECHL powerhouse under Lalonde. The team reached the conference finals for the first time and has not missed the playoffs since. Lalonde was recently named coach of the Detroit Red Wings.
“In Toledo, I learned how to create relationships with everyone from the players, the ushers, ticket sales reps, Zamboni drivers, etc., — and to treat those people the right way,” Schwab said. “Anytime you can help a player reach his goals and make them a better person, it's without a doubt the most rewarding part.”
Hirschfeld said it can be a difficult transition to go from the on-ice action to a vocal role behind the bench.
“The first few years the transition is tough when you really want to still be playing, but your body isn’t allowing you,” he said. “It helped to transition being able to stay with the team I played for, continuing to build a relationship with Watty and learn the coaching side.”
Keefe played for the Walleye in the franchise's first two years (2009-10 and 2010-11) and started his career at the Sports Arena for the Storm under Vitucci.
“I am forever grateful for my time there in Toledo,” he said. “The fans accepted me as one of their own. I can't wait until they bring the Kelly Cup to T-Town. It’s coming.”
Schwab, who has since returned to the Huntington Center as an assistant coach for the ECHL's Greenville Swamp Rabbits, said playing in Toledo left a lasting impact on his life.
“I root for them and want them to have success,” he said. “I follow along pretty closely to what is happening in Toledo and am pretty optimistic that championship parade is coming soon.”
Schwab played on one of the organization's most productive lines of all time. Nicknamed the “Lawyer Line,” Schwab was paired up with the Walleye's all-time leading scorer Shane Berschbach and Tyler Barnes.
“It's crazy how big of an impact one year in Toledo made on my hockey career and personal life. The relationships I built there, the lessons I learned there, and the experience I had impact me today,” Schwab said. “I have very fond memories of Toledo and how close the rest of that team was, and how great of a group of players we had off the ice.”
Keefe, whose brother Sheldon is the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, said the most rewarding aspects of being a coach are winning championships and developing good human beings.
“It’s hard to put into words what I have taken from my experience there in Toledo now as a coach myself,” he said. “After eight months of buy-in, watching your players celebrate that trophy is very rewarding. And watching players develop and become better players and people is equally rewarding.”
First Published July 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m.
