The Walleye signed former University of Toronto forward Billy Moskal on Thursday but the team did not make any other moves prior to the ECHL trade deadline.
Moskal, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, averaged nearly a point per game at the University of Toronto this season. Moskal posted 27 points with 14 goals and 13 assists in 28 games.
The 6-foot and 194-pound center played four seasons for Toronto, tallying 86 points (35 G, 51 A) and 94 penalty minutes in 93 college games.
“He plays a very complete game,” Walleye coach Pat Mikesch said. “We really like that he is a true center with size.”
Moskal, 24, made his pro debut in 2020-21 with Cleveland of the American Hockey League. He played in two games and did not have a point. Before his pro debut, he played four seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League with the London Knights. Moskal totaled 91 points (34 G, 57 A) in 205 games.
Moskal is the latest recent college graduate to sign with the Walleye.
Forwards Colby Ambrosio and Peyton Hoyt and defenseman Dylan Moulton signed with Toledo last week. The college players will compete for a spot on the team's playoff roster and next season's team — a common tactic used at this time of the year by ECHL teams.
The Walleye also signed goaltender Nick Grabko on Wednesday after goalie Gage Alexander was injured on Saturday.
The ECHL trade deadline was at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
In January, the Walleye traded forward Casey Dornbach to Greenville in exchange for defenseman Bobby Russell.
Earlier this month, the team acquired forward Cole Gallant from Utah in exchange for forward Griffin Ness. The team also relinquished the ECHL rights to defenseman Grant Gabriele as part of that deal.
The Walleye did not end up making any more moves. There were a few discussions with other ECHL teams but nothing came to fruition due to salary cap implications, according to Mikesch.
The team expects to receive a couple of additional players from its American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids before the Kelly Cup playoffs begin on April 16. Playoff rosters must be set by April 14.
“I think we're going to get a bump through some help from Grand Rapids,” Mikesch said.
Any additional help will be contingent on injuries in Grand Rapids and Detroit and whether the Red Wings qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
According to ECHL rules, a player must play in at least five regular-season games to be eligible for a spot on that team's roster for the Kelly Cup playoffs.
The Walleye (39-15-8) lead the Central Division with 86 points, nine in front of second-place Fort Wayne. Toledo also leads the ECHL Western Conference, one point ahead of Kansas City.
The organization has clinched a playoff berth for the ninth consecutive season.
Toledo has 10 games left in the regular season with five at home and five on the road. The Walleye host Wheeling on Friday and Saturday before hosting Bloomington on Sunday.
The team looks to lock up home-ice advantage for the first two rounds by clinching the division and conference titles.
“Those are still things we want to achieve. We want to be playing well [going into the playoffs],” Mikesch said.
First Published March 20, 2025, 10:39 p.m.
