Four rookies have made the most out of their opportunities for a Toledo Walleye team that continues to hum along while dealing with a fluctuating roster.
The depleted Walleye (43-12-9), who have clinched a spot in the ECHL playoffs, are battling Cincinnati for first place in the Central Division. With seven games left in the regular season, the Walleye are looking to solidify their playoff positioning and are four points behind the Cyclones for first place in the division.
But the team is currently without nine key players due to promotions to the American Hockey League and injury.
That has opened the door for several college prospects to fill the void. Forward Ryan Cox and defensemen Jake Willets, Jon McDonald, and Derek Daschke all were recently signed after completing their college careers.
And all four have already made an impression.
“When these guys come in here, they are expecting an opportunity,” Walleye coach Dan Watson said. “We gave them that opportunity, and they grabbed it. It's really good to see these guys come in and produce and be a good part of what we have going on.”
Cox (Niagara University) has nine points with five goals and four assists in five games since signing on March 17. Cox, who earned the ECHL's player of the week award in just his second week as a pro, scored two goals in Saturday's 5-1 win over Greenville.
“It's been a lot of fun,” Cox said. “The crowds have been really loud.”
Willets, who played at Lake Superior State, has three points (2 G, 1 A) in three games. Daschke (Minnesota-Duluth) has four assists in three games, and McDonald (U-Mass Lowell) has two assists in three games.
Ed Burkholder, the team's director of scouting, credited Watson for creating a culture that allows prospects to experience instant success.
“The rookies coming in this time of the year immediately see the commitment to detail and the extra effort this team puts in every single day,” Burkholder said. “Coach Watson has done an unbelievable job in building a winning culture that is contagious.”
Burkholder has been a key behind-the-scenes contributor as a member of the hockey operations department going back to 2003-04 with the city's former ECHL team, the Storm.
“When we see the guys rise to the next level, it's one of the best parts of the job,” Burkholder said. “It's definitely something to be proud of.”
Burkholder said Watson emphasizes high character above all else in potential recruits.
“First and foremost, his mandate is to have good people in the locker room,” Burkholder added. “We look for leaders who want to win and want to be a Toledo Walleye.”
Cox, who had been sought after by several other ECHL teams, had three points (1 G, 2 A) in Sunday's 5-4 shootout loss to Greenville. He has been paired with the Walleye’s leading scorers, Brandon Hawkins and Gordie Green.
“I'm just trying to get to the net and trying to get open,” Cox said. “The group of guys has been awesome. But I still want to prove myself and keep improving here.”
Toledo went 1-1-1 during a three-game homestand last weekend, earning three out of a potential six points.
“Obviously right now we're missing a lot of guys, and we're still playing good hockey,” rookie goalie Sebastian Cossa said. “I think it's the structure with the coaching staff right now. The players are buying in. When we get those pieces back, we're gonna be dangerous, for sure.”
Toledo currently has seven players called up to its AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids: forwards Drew Worrad, Trenton Bliss, and Kirill Tyutyayev as well as defensemen Charlie Curti, Donovan Sebrango, and Seth Barton. Goaltender John Lethemon also is on a call-up to Grand Rapids, while forward Conlan Keenan is injured. Forward Mitchell Heard, who ranks fourth on the team in scoring, also is currently called up to Belleville of the AHL.
Tyutyayev and Bliss are the team's third- and fifth-leading scorers and Worrad ranks eighth. Lethemon has a 18-1-3 record and leads the ECHL in goals-against average (1.99), save percentage (.930), and shutouts (4).
The Walleye should get all of those players back before the start of the playoffs. The Griffins' regular season ends April 15, and Toledo's regular-season ends on April 16. The Griffins are currently in seventh place in the AHL Central Division and are seven points out of the last playoff spot. The Griffins have seven games remaining.
After a 7-4 loss Jan. 14, the Walleye had fallen to 16-14-5. Since then, they have put together a 26-2-2 record. The Walleye saw their historic 18-game winning streak end on Friday with a 4-2 home loss to Reading.
“That leaves a sour taste in our mouth,” Green said. “But it's stuff to build on. Coming down the stretch here, we've got to find ways to close games out, especially going into playoffs. We had been good at it lately, and then it just kind of snuck away from us.”
The winning streak was the second-longest winning streak in ECHL history and the longest in Toledo pro hockey history.
“A lot of really good teams have suited up for this city and for this group to do what they just did, it's special. It gives me chills and goosebumps thinking about it,” Watson said. “The pressure is off, and hopefully we get back to our winning ways and make sure we're buckled down for the stretch.”
The loss to the Royals and former Toledo goalie Pat Nagle also gave the Walleye their first regulation loss in 21 games (19-0-1).
Willets, a native of Erie, Mich., scored a goal in his pro debut on Friday. McDonald, a native of Livonia, Mich., had two assists on Saturday.
“That's huge. They were our top three D,” Watson said of the debut of Willets, Daschke, and McDonald. “There's gonna be some timing issues and some chemistry issues there. But overall, I was happy with those guys in the lineup. Three of the guys are pretty local. So for them to have family here and to have that special moment with them in the crowd is huge.”
Willets had his parents, friends, and family in attendance.
“That was awesome,” Willets said. “My parents have done so much for me to get here.”
The team did get defenseman Riley McCourt back from a call-up to Colorado of the AHL. McCourt has 23 points (4 G, 19 A) in 33 games for the Walleye. He is tied with Gordi Myer for the team lead in scoring among defensemen. McCourt earned the ECHL's plus performer (plus-16) of the month award in February.
The Walleye have another three-game homestand this weekend beginning Friday against Iowa. The team's three games coincide with the start of the Mud Hens season, including the baseball team's home opener on Friday.
“The compete and battle level has to be there,” Watson said. “We have to be willing to do anything for the win. That's what we had during that winning streak. We just have to up our urgency and desperation.”
First Published March 30, 2023, 4:50 p.m.
