Toledo Walleye#Head coaches

{{main|Toledo Storm}}

The Walleye were founded in 1991 as the Toledo Storm, playing their home games at Toledo Sports Arena across the river from downtown Toledo. The Storm were the first hockey team to play in Toledo since the International Hockey League's Toledo Goaldiggers suspended operations in 1986, eventually moving to Kansas City in 1990. In the Storm's inaugural season, the team won the West Division title and the Henry Brabham Cup after posting the league's best record in the regular season. The following year the Storm won its first Jack Riley Cup, defeating the Wheeling Thunderbirds in six games. The Storm came back the following season and won its second Riley Cup, defeating the Raleigh Icecaps in five games, becoming only the second team in league history to win back-to-back league titles (the first being the Hampton Roads Admirals in 1991 and 1992). The Storm were dominant in its first few years, winning four division titles in their first five seasons and posting a winning record in thirteen of the sixteen seasons the team played. The Storm won its second Brabham Cup in 2003 and made the American Conference finals during the 2005–06 season, ultimately losing to the Gwinnett Gladiators in five games. The Storm's final game came on April 19, 2007, during the 2007 North Division semifinals losing to in-state rival, Cincinnati Cyclones by a score of 4–0 getting swept in the series 3 games to 0. In sixteen seasons in the ECHL, the Storm posted a 610-395-103 record, winning two Riley Cups, two Brabham Cups and six division titles.

In 2007, Toledo Arena Sports, Inc., an Ohio-Not-For-Profit Corporation, purchased the rights to the Toledo, Ohio Territory from the ECHL. The new ownership group was planning to build a new state-of-the-art arena in downtown Toledo to replace the aging Sports Arena. Shortly after the sale, Toledo Arena Sports announced that after the 2006–07 season, the Storm would not compete again until the arena was completed and the ECHL granted the Storm a two-year voluntary suspension from competition.

In February 2008, General Manager Joe Napoli announced that former Storm goaltender, ECHL Hall of Famer, and head coach from 2003 to 2007, Nick Vitucci would return to coach the franchise when it returned to the ice in 2009.{{Cite news |last = Vardon |first = Joe |title = Ex-Storm Coach Vitucci Is First Hire of Next Hockey Team |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = February 13, 2008 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2008/02/13/Ex-Storm-coach-Vitucci-is-first-hire-of-next-hockey-team.html |access-date = March 24, 2008 }} One week after announcing Vitucci as head coach, Toledo Arena Sports Inc. renamed the Storm the "Walleye," in reference to the popular game fish that is abundant in the area.{{Cite news |last = Vardon |first = Joe |title = Mud Hens Snag Catchy 'Walleye' as Moniker For Hockey Franchise |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = February 20, 2008 }}

{{See also|2009–10 Toledo Walleye season}}

Image:Toledo Walleye opening weekend.gif

At the ECHL Mid-Season Board of Governors meeting, the league announced that the Walleye would be members of the American Conference's North Division along with the Cincinnati Cyclones, Elmira Jackals, Johnstown Chiefs, Wheeling Nailers{{Cite press release |title = ECHL Concludes Mid-Season Board of Governors Meeting |publisher = ECHL |date = March 30, 2009 |url = http://echl.com/echl-concludes-mid-season-br-board-of-governors-meeting-p162338 |access-date = April 1, 2009 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110710165957/http://echl.com/echl-concludes-mid-season-br-board-of-governors-meeting-p162338 |archive-date = July 10, 2011 }} and Kalamazoo Wings.{{Cite news |last = Monroe |first = Mark |title = New Walleye Will Revive Old IHL Rivalry with Kalamazoo |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = June 21, 2009 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2009/06/21/New-Walleye-will-revive-old-IHL-rivalry-with-Kalamazoo.html |access-date = August 4, 2011 }} During the NHL's award ceremonies in Las Vegas, Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland stated that the Walleye would become Detroit's ECHL affiliate for the 2009–10 season and that the Wings would send one of their three goaltender prospects (either Jordan Pearce, Thomas McCollum or Daniel Larsson) to Toledo for the season.{{Cite news |last = Sipple |first = George |title = Alex Ovechkin Has Fun Beating Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk |newspaper = Detroit Free Press |date = June 19, 2009 }}{{Cite news |last = Monroe |first = Mark |title = Red Wings Link with Walleye |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = August 3, 2009 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2009/08/03/Red-Wings-link-with-Walleye.html |access-date = August 4, 2011 }} On August 5, 2009, the Walleye announced a second affiliation agreement, becoming the ECHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago's AHL affiliate the Rockford IceHogs.{{Cite news |last = Monroe |first = Mark |title = Blackhawks, Walleye Join Forces |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = August 5, 2009 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2009/08/05/Blackhawks-Walleye-join-forces.html |access-date = August 7, 2009 }}

Image:Toledo Walleye alternate logo.jpg

The Walleye opened their inaugural season on October 16, 2009, hosting the defending Brabham Cup champion Florida Everblades in the first of a three-game series. Prior to the Walleye's home opener, head coach Nick Vitucci named defenseman Ryan Stokes as the team's captain.{{cite news |last = Angie |first = Marie |title = Ryan Stokes Named Captain of the Toledo Walleye |work = Examiner.com |date = October 16, 2009 }} Despite a strong effort, the Walleye dropped their opener to Florida 1–2 in front of a sell-out crowd of 8,000, the largest crowd to ever watch a pro hockey game in Toledo at the time.{{Cite news |last = Monroe |first = Mark |title = Walleye Iced in Debut |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = October 17, 2009 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2009/10/17/Walleye-iced-in-debut.html |access-date = October 21, 2009 }} The Walleye would return the next night and rookie goaltender Jordan Pearce would stop 35 of 37 shots faced as the Walleye scored three goals in the final period to get past the Everblades for the team's first win, 5–2.{{Cite news |last = Monroe |first = Mark |title = Pearce Shines in First Win for Walleye |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = October 18, 2009 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2009/10/18/Pearce-shines-in-first-win-for-Walleye.html |access-date = October 21, 2009 }} On December 31, defenseman J.C. Sawyer and forward Maxime Tanguay were selected to the American Conference All-Star team and played at the All-Star Game at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California on January 20.{{Cite news |title = 2 from Walleye Named ECHL All-Stars |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = January 1, 2010 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2010/01/01/2-from-Walleye-named-ECHL-all-stars.html |access-date = January 30, 2010 }} Sawyer was named the captain of the American Conference All-Stars.{{Cite news |title = Walleye's Sawyer All-Star Captain |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = January 20, 2010 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2010/01/20/Walleye-s-Sawyer-all-star-captain.html |access-date = January 20, 2010 }} At the end of the regular season, defenseman J.C. Sawyer was named as a First Team selection to the All-ECHL team and won the Defenseman of the Year award,{{Cite news |title = Walleye's Sawyer Named Top ECHL Defenseman |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = April 8, 2010 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2010/04/08/Walleye-s-Sawyer-named-top-ECHL-defenseman.html |access-date = April 8, 2010 }} while center Maxime Tanguay was named to the All-Rookie team.{{Cite press release |title = ECHL All-Rookie Team Announced |publisher = ECHL |date = March 31, 2010 |url = http://echl.com/echl-all-rookie-team-announced-p165733 |access-date = August 4, 2011 }} The Walleye would finish the regular season in eighth place in the American Conference leading to a matchup with the American Conference regular season champions, the Charlotte Checkers.{{Cite news |last = Monroe |first = Mark |title = Walleye Get Charlotte in First Round of Playoffs |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = April 4, 2010 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2010/04/04/Walleye-get-Charlotte-in-first-round-of-playoffs.html |access-date = April 7, 2010 }} Toledo, behind a hat trick from winger Adam Keefe, claimed a 7–2 victory over top-seeded Charlotte in game one of the series, the first playoff game win for the organization since game two of the 2006 American Conference Finals against the Gwinnett Gladiators.{{Cite news |last = Monroe |first = Mark |title = Keefe Ignites Walleye |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = April 7, 2010 |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Walleye/2010/04/07/Keefe-ignites-Walleye.html |access-date = July 4, 2011 }} However, the Walleye would lose the next three games to Charlotte and were eliminated from the playoffs in four games.

File:2012 Toledo and Kalamazoo.jpg.]]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Walleye voluntarily suspended operations for the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |url = https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/1/echl-finalizes-roster-of-teams-for-2020-21-season |title = ECHL Finalizes Roster of Teams for 2020–21 Season |publisher = ECHL |date = January 4, 2021 }} Coming back from the voluntary suspension, the Walleye would go on to win the Brabham Cup{{cite web |title = Toledo Wins Brabham Cup Title |url = https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/4/toledo-wins-brabham-cup-title | publisher = ECHL |access-date = June 13, 2022 }} in the 2021–22 season, finishing with the league's best points % with.708, the only team above .700%. They would then go on to win in comeback fashion the first series of the 2022 Kelly Cup playoffs, 4–3.{{cite web |title = Walleye Complete Series Comeback with 4–2 Game 7 Victory Over Cyclones |url = https://www.toledowalleye.com/en/news/walleye-complete-series-comeback-with-4-2-game-7-victory-over-cyclones |publisher = Toledo Walleye |access-date = June 13, 2022 }} They then went on to sweep Wheeling{{cite web |title = Walleye Complete Sweep of Wheeling Nailers with 3–1 Game 4 Victory |url = https://www.toledowalleye.com/en/news/walleye-complete-sweep-of-wheeling-nailers-with-3-1-game-4-victory |publisher = Toledo Walleye |access-date = June 13, 2022 }} and best Utah in 5 games after losing Game 1.{{cite web |title = Toledo Captures Bruce Taylor Trophy as Western Conference Champions |url = https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/5/toledo-walleye-bruce-taylor-trophy-echl-western-conference-champions |publisher = ECHL |access-date = June 13, 2022 }} The Walleye would go on to lose the Kelly Cup Finals to the Florida Everblades.{{cite web |title = Florida Wins 2022 Kelly Cup Title |url = https://www.echl.com/en/news/2022/6/florida-everblades-win-2022-kelly-cup-title | publisher = ECHL |access-date = June 13, 2022 }}

On July 27, 2009, the Walleye introduced Spike, their costumed mascot at a Toledo Mud Hens baseball game. Spike is a yellow anthropomorphic walleye, adorned with a white Walleyes jersey, blue gloves, helmet and shoes and a gap tooth smile. Spike's nemesis is Cat Trick, a fuzzy blue cat, with a fishing vest and bright yellow boots. The two like to take cheap shots at each other during games.

The first ECHL outdoor hockey event was at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, December 27, 2014.{{cite web |title = Outdoor Hockey Coming to ECHL, Toledo |url = http://www.echl.com/outdoor-hockey-coming-to-echl-toledo-p179624 |publisher = ECHL |access-date = October 11, 2012 }} The Walleye lost 2-1 to the visiting Kalamazoo Wings. On January 5, the Walleye fell to the Fort Wayne Komets 3-2 in a shootout. In addition to the Walleye games, the annual Battle of the Badges game between the Toledo Police Department and Toledo Fire Department occurred on December 31,{{cite web |title = Toledo Safety Officials Battle at Winterfest |url = http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show/461519 |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |access-date = April 8, 2016 }} the U.S. National Under 18 Team defeated Adrian College 6-1 in an exhibition on January 1,{{cite web |title = U.S. Team Shows Off Skills Against Adrian |url = http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show/461762 |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |access-date = April 8, 2016 }} and Bowling Green played Robert Morris to a 2-2 draw on January 4.{{cite web |title = Frozen, Wet Falcons Tie Robert Morris |url = http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show/462438 |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |access-date = April 8, 2016 }} Anthony Wayne High School, Saint Ignatius High School, Saint John's High School, Whitmer High School, and many other youth and adult teams also participated in the Winterfest. Over 10 days, an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people attended events at the stadium.{{cite web |title = Toledo Walleye Winterfest |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/walleye-winterfest |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |access-date = March 12, 2016 }}

The Walleye's rivalry with the Komets dates back to the time when the teams from both cities played each other in IHL. The Komets play in the same division as the Walleye, and each game usually features a high score and a major fight or two because of the high animosity between the two teams. Ever since the 2009–10 ECHL season, the teams have played each other five times in the playoffs: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2025, with Toledo winning three of the five series.

The Walleye’s rivalry with the Cyclones comes from both teams playing in the state of Ohio, as well as the same division as Fort Wayne. The two teams have met each other four times in the playoffs: 2013, 2019, 2022, and 2023, with Toledo winning the most recent three of the four series.

File:Toledo Walleye First Game.jpg

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

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• Ryan Stokes, 2009–10
• Adam Keefe, 2010–11
• Kyle Rogers, 2011–14
• Jared Nightingale, 2014–17
• Alden Hirschfeld, 2017–18{{cite web |url = http://www.toledowalleye.com/site/story/hirschfeld-named-new-walleye-captain |title = Hirschfeld Named New Walleye Captain |publisher = Toledo Walleye |access-date = February 25, 2017 |date = February 15, 2017 }}
• T. J. Hensick, 2019–21{{cite web |url = https://www.toledowalleye.com/en/news/hensick-named-walleye-captain-berschbach-alternate-captain |title = Hensick Named Walleye Captain: Berschbach Alternate Captain |publisher = Toledo Walleye |access-date = November 5, 2019 |date = October 11, 2019 }}
• John Albert, 2022–23

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• Nick Vitucci, 2009–2014
• Derek Lalonde, 2014–2016
• Dan Watson, 2014 (interim), 2016–2023
• Pat Mikesch, 2023–present

{{small|Updated – August 12, 2021}}{{cite web |url = http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=9720 |title = Toledo Walleye All-Time Player Roster |website = HockeyDB |access-date = July 16, 2019 |date = April 8, 2017 }}

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:Goals: 40 – Brandon Hawkins (2023–24)

:Assists: 68 – Shane Berschbach (2016–17)

:Points: 93 – Brandon Hawkins (2023–24)

:Penalty minutes: 246 – Bryan Moore (2018–19)

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:Goals: 116 – Shane Berschbach (2014–20)

:Assists: 277 – Shane Berschbach (2014–20)

:Points: 393 – Shane Berschbach (2014–20)

:Penalty minutes: 246 – Bryan Moore (2018–19)

:Games Played: 376 – Smatt Berschbach (2014–20)

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Most Valuable Player

• Josh Kestner: 2019–20
• Brandon Hawkins: 2023–24, 2024–25

Leading Scorer

• Josh Kestner: 2019–20
• Brandon Hawkins: 2023–24, 2024–25

All-ECHL First Team

• J.C. Sawyer: 2009–10
• Shane Berschbach: 2015–16
• Josh Kestner: 2019–20
• Brandon Hawkins: 2022–23
• John Lethemon: 2022–23

All-ECHL Second Team

• Jason Lepine: 2010–11
• Jeff Lerg: 2014–15, 2015–16
• Shane Berschbach: 2016–17
• Jake Paterson: 2016–17{{cite web |url = http://www.echl.com/2016-17-all-echl-second-team |title = 2016–17 All-ECHL Second Team |access-date = April 10, 2017 |publisher = ECHL |date = April 6, 2017}}
• Matt Register: 2018–19{{cite web |url = https://www.echl.com/news/2019/4/all-echl-first-and-second-teams-announced |title = All-ECHL First and Second Teams Announced | publisher = ECHL |access-date = November 6, 2019 |date = April 4, 2019}}

All-ECHL Rookie Team

• Maxime Tanguay: 2009–10
• Andy Bohmbach: 2010–11
• Tyler Barnes: 2014–15
• Tylor Spink: 2016–17
• Tyson Spink: 2016–17
• Nolan Zajac: 2016–17{{cite web |url = http://www.echl.com/echl-announces-2016-17-all-rookie-team |title = 2016–17 All-Rookie Team | publisher = ECHL |access-date = April 10, 2017 |date = April 5, 2017}}
• Billy Christopoulos: 2019–20

CCM Defenseman of the Year

• J.C. Sawyer: 2009–10

CCM Rookie of the Year

• Tyler Barnes: 2014–15
• Tyson Spink: 2016–17{{cite web |url = http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show/779791 |title = Spink Named ECHL Rookie of the Year |access-date = April 10, 2017 |date = April 10, 2017}}

ECHL All-Star Game Selection

• J.C. Sawyer: 2010
• Maxime Tanguay: 2010
• Peter Leblanc: 2011
• Luke Glendening: 2013
• Ben Youds: 2013
• Tyler Barnes: 2015

Sportsmanship Award

• Randy Rowe: 2012–13
• Shane Berschbach: 2015–16, 2016–17{{cite web |url = http://www.echl.com/toledos-berschbach-receives-2016-17-echl-sportsmanship-award |title = Toledo's Berschbach receives ECHL Sportmanship Award | publisher = ECHL |access-date = April 10, 2017 |date = April 7, 2017}}

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North Division Champions

• 2014–15: 107 Points
• 2015–16: 99 Points

Central Division Champions

• 2016–17: 106 Points
• 2017–18: 105 Points
• 2021–22: 102 Points

Bruce Taylor Trophy

ECHL Western Conference Playoff Champion

• 2018–19
• 2021–22

Henry Brabham Cup

ECHL regular season champion

• 2014–15: 107 Points
• 2016–17: 106 Points
• 2021–22: 102 Points

John Brophy Award

ECHL Coach of the Year

• Derek Lalonde: 2014–15
• Dan Watson: 2016–17

Executive of the Year

• Joe Napoli: 2012–13, 2014–15
• Neil Neukam: 2017–18,{{cite web |url = https://www.echl.com/neukam-ohrablo-named-co-recipients-echl-executive-year-award |title = Neukam, Ohrablo Named Co-Recipients of ECHL Executive of the Year Award |publisher = ECHL |date = June 26, 2018}} 2018–19{{cite web |url = https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/walleye/2019/06/24/toledo-walleye-gm-general-manager-neil-neukam-echl-executive-of-year/stories/20190624142 |title = Walleye GM Neukam named ECHL Executive of the Year |newspaper= The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |access-date = November 6, 2019}}

Reebok Athletic Trainer of the Year

• Brad Fredrick: 2014–15

Ticket Executive of the Year

• Brian Perkins: 2014–15

Outstanding Media Award

• Mark Monroe, Toledo Blade (2015–16)

Team awards

• Overall Award of Excellence:{{cite web |url = http://www.echl.com/award-of-excellence-winners |title = Award of Excellence Winners | publisher = ECHL |access-date = April 30, 2017 }} 2009–10, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18{{cite web |url = http://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2018/06/21/Toledo-Walleye-earn-the-ECHL-s-Team-Award-of-Excellence.html |title = Toledo Walleye earn the ECHL's Team Award of Excellence |newspaper = The Blade |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = June 21, 2018}}
• Ticket Department of the Year: 2016–17
• Social Media Award of Excellence: 2015–16
• ECHL Best Ice Award: 2015–16, 2016–17,{{cite web |url = http://www.echl.com/toledo-receives-2016-17-echl-best-ice-award |title = Toledo receives 2016–17 ECHL Best Ice Award | publisher = ECHL |access-date = April 30, 2017 |date = April 28, 2017}} 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20{{Cite web |url = https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/toledo-receives-2019-20-best-ice-award/n-5616042 |title = Toledo Receives 2019–20 Best Ice Award |website = OurSports Central |date = April 16, 2020}}

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{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Toledo Walleye}}

• {{Official website|https://www.toledowalleye.com}}

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{{succession box |before = Toledo Storm |title = Professional ice hockey team in
Toledo, Ohio |years = 2009–present |after = Current team}}

{{succession box |before = Alaska Aces |before2 = Missouri Mavericks |before3 = Florida Everblades |title = Brabham Cup champions |years = 2014–15
2016–17
2021–22 |after = Missouri Mavericks |after2 = Florida Everblades |after3 = Idaho Steelheads}}

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{{Toledo Walleye}}

{{Detroit Red Wings}}

{{Grand Rapids Griffins}}

{{ECHL}}

{{Ohio Sports}}

{{Toledo}}

Toledo Walleye

Category:Toledo Walleye players

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Category:ECHL teams

Category:Sports clubs and teams in Toledo, Ohio

Category:Ice hockey teams in Ohio

Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 2009

Category:2009 establishments in Ohio