The Pat Mikesch era of Toledo Walleye hockey promises to be a mix of balancing championship expectations with a clear focus on player development.
Mikesch, a Michigan native who has extensive coaching experience in developmental leagues, was introduced as the fourth coach in Toledo Walleye history at a press conference on Friday at the Huntington Center.
“I'm coming to a place where they want to have big-time hockey,” said Mikesch, who spent a total of 11 seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League. “They want to have a show. It's a great opportunity for me because good players want to play here. Those are the guys I need to work with because it's all about development for me. The question is how do we mix that individual development with team development? How do we get this group to be the best group at the end of the year?”
The Walleye have made the playoffs in seven straight seasons and have made two appearances in the Kelly Cup Finals since 2019. But the franchise, which was founded in 2009, has not yet won an ECHL title.
“The expectations are there with a fan base like we have in Toledo here,” Mikesch said. “Every team that's right on that pinnacle, there's always that expectation. But the fans want to see players in front of them that really care about the organization.
“It's great to be part of this great organization, the sports community, and I just can't wait to move forward.”
Joe Napoli, the team's president and CEO, said Walleye officials conducted an extensive six-week search and interview process that included some 25 candidates before selecting Mikesch.
“His preparation was off the charts,” Napoli said. “He worked extremely hard to be well-prepared. The first interview was a video interview. He nailed it. And then in person, he was outstanding. We covered everything from culture, coaching, teaching, managerial style, and then interacting [with Grand Rapids and Detroit]. I would describe him as cocky, confident, totally engaging.”
The team's two previous coaches, Derek Lalonde and Dan Watson, have each moved up the coaching ranks. Mikesch was an assistant coach under Lalonde in Green Bay for three seasons. Lalonde coached the Walleye for two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16) and is currently the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. Watson, who was Toledo's head coach for the past six seasons, is now the head coach of the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids.
“The three [former] coaches were very involved in the process,” Mikesch said. “I learned a lot about the organization through those three, and to be the fourth one, it's an amazing opportunity. I can't wait to follow in Dan's footsteps.”
Mikesch, a native of Hancock, Mich., was head coach of the Gamblers for eight seasons. The USHL is a major junior league with players ages 16 to 21.
“When we're recruiting, so much of it is character,” he said. “We want guys who have won championships in the past, and so they understand how you win as a team.”
Neil Neukam, the Walleye's executive vice president and general manager, said the most attractive component of Mikesch during the interview process was the coach's ability to be a teacher.
“His resume shows 30-plus players that he's coached that ventured on to the NHL,” he said. “The ECHL is a developmental league, to help players learn to become better, to eventually move up to Grand Rapids and eventually in some cases that dream to play in the NHL.”
Former Walleye coaches Nick Vitucci, Lalonde, and Watson all sat in on the final interviews.
Shawn Horcoff, the general manager of the Griffins and assistant general manager of the Red Wings, also was involved in the process. Horcoff said Mikesch's player development background stood out.
“We have a commitment to constantly find new ways to continue to develop players,” he said. "Winning is a part of that. So there is a fine balance there, and I think Pat's player development background is something that really stood out to us.”
Before Green Bay, Mikesch spent seven seasons (2004-11) as an assistant coach at Michigan Tech University. He also led USA hockey’s U-17 team to three straight Gold medals (2011-13) at the Five Nations Cup. He played for Michigan Tech from 1992-96 and then eight seasons of pro hockey in the AHL, IHL, ECHL, and Germany.
Mikesch also served as the GM in Green Bay and had control over the roster. However, in the USHL, the roster is established through a draft rather than through free-agent signings.
“Here, we have the ability to go out and recruit players,” Mikesch said. “They're all familiar with Toledo. But I want to really sell them on why I'm the right fit for them.”
Mikesch said he hopes to not only build a team that can win a championship, but also one the city can be proud of.
“It's the way they compete and how they carry themselves,” he said.
Mikesch led the Gamblers to winning seasons in five of his eight years and to the playoffs three times. He had a career record of 214-200-48 in Green Bay, but the team never advanced past the first round of the playoffs. In his final season in 2021-22, the team went 23-34-5 and did not make the playoffs.
“Probably one of the most honest parts of the interview process was the playoff experience that was lacking,” he said. “They were all learning opportunities for me. We had three teams that I thought could have won the championship there, and I'm disappointed that we didn't.”
The first-round series are a best-of-3 format in the USHL.
“Those are tough,” Mikesch said. “I made mistakes. There were some learning opportunities that were there, but I believe my personality and my energy level will keep guys excited to play throughout the year.”
Mikesch also was an assistant under Lalonde when the Gamblers won a USHL title in 2011-12. That team went 47-9-4 during the regular season.
He said the USHL has similar roster turnover as the ECHL, with more than half the team moving on each year.
Mikesch said three of his goalies ended up being NHL draft picks.
“My goal is to have them play at a higher level,” Mikesch said.
Neukam said assistant coaches Alden Hirschfeld and Brent Bain will remain in those roles.
Mikesch said he has been working with Hirschfeld and Bain since Monday.
“I love the detail that they bring every day,” he said. “They are going to make me a better coach. They're going to make me a better general manager. They're going to prepare me for things that I haven't absorbed yet about the East Coast league, and I'm so lucky to have those two.”
Neukam also credited Horcoff and Red Wings management for their direct interest in the hiring procedure.
“That's a testament to the Red Wings and how they look at Toledo and the important role that Toledo plays in developing players,” he said.
Horcoff said the Walleye organization plays a vital role in the structure of the parent Red Wings.
“Toledo means a lot. We view Toledo as part of the family,” Horcoff said. “We have great confidence in our ability to develop players down here.”
Last season, top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa spent the entire year in Toledo, and a handful of other Red Wings prospects also played for the Walleye.
“When young players come in and turn pro, it's difficult for a lot of them,” he said. “The biggest thing they need to do is they need to play in an environment where they're going to continue to develop. We don't have any hesitations about having guys come down and play games. Toledo is a very important part of our development process.”
Mikesch said fans can expect a highly-skilled, puck possession-type team.
“My biggest thing is we want to play fast and we want to be aggressive,” he said. “It's similar to what they already have here throughout the [Red Wings] organization.”
First Published July 14, 2023, 9:53 p.m.
