As the most experienced player on the Toledo Walleye roster, veteran forward John Albert was a natural pick to be the team's captain.
Albert, a 33-year-old with 11 pro seasons under his belt, is now wearing the “C” on his Walleye sweater.
The Ohio State University product has played in 339 games at the American Hockey League level and in 132 ECHL games. The center is in his second season with the Walleye.
■ Friday: home vs. Wheeling (4-6-0-0, 4th Central Division)
■ Saturday: home vs. Indy (6-2-1-0, 2nd)
“It's a great honor,” Albert said of being named just the eighth captain in team history. “I'm just trying to be a leader on and off the ice.”
The Walleye's previous captains were Ryan Stokes, Randy Rowe, Adam Keefe, Kyle Rogers, Jared Nightingale, Alden Hirschfeld, and T.J. Hensick.
Albert collected 24 goals and 24 assists in 51 games for the Walleye during the 2021-22 regular season. He then had 17 points with 10 goals and seven assists in 21 playoff games.
“It was an easy choice,” Walleye coach Dan Watson said. “Having John here last year, we know the type of person he is and the type of player he can be and how beneficial he is inside that locker room.”
Albert has two goals in seven games so far this season for the Walleye, who are off to a 4-3-1 start entering Friday’s home game against Wheeling.
Albert also was a captain as a senior at Ohio State in 2010-11. He also was a captain with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL in 2015-16.
“I'll try to get everybody together, to stay positive in the locker room,” Albert said.
A former sixth-round pick in the 2007 NHL draft by Atlanta, Albert appeared in nine games for the Winnipeg Jets during the 2013-14 campaign, scoring a goal.
SLED HOCKEY: The Walleye organization is holding a sled hockey event Wednesday night. The players will be working with individuals with physical disabilities at the charity event at 7 p.m. at the Huntington Center.
The players will be on the ice playing with the adaptive sports athletes.
The event will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. and will highlight the abilities of individuals through the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio.
In sled hockey, players use shorter sticks with spikes on the ends to push their sleds as well as to shoot and pass the puck. The sport is open to athletes with amputation/limb loss, spinal cord injury, wheelchair-users, and those living with cerebral palsy, brain injury, and stroke.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free. However, donations can be made at the door with all proceeds to benefit the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio. There will also be raffle and silent auction items available. For more info go to adaptivesportsohio.org.
First Published November 15, 2022, 9:59 p.m.
