It's October and that means only one thing, the Toledo Walleye regular season is primed to get underway. The Fighting Fish take the ice Saturday for their first regular season game as they host the expansion Chicago Express at the Huntington Center.
As usual, there is a full afternoon of activities to kick off the season starting with the Fish Tailgate party on Huron Street in Downtown Toledo at 4:30 p.m. Pre-game festivities will feature the Toledo Blade Battle of the Bands winner Booyah! performing live.
While the coaching and support staff remains the same from previous years with Nick Vitucci serving as head coach, Dan Watson joining him as assistant coach, Dave Aleo serving as equipment manager and Brad Fredrick acting as athletic trainer, the team does have a new captain. Kyle Rogers was named Walleye captain with Evan Rankin and Kevin Harvey serving as alternates.
Additionally, the team is anchored by returning players like defensemen Simon Danis-Pepin, Scott Fletcher and Kyle Page. Detroit Red Wings prospect goaltender Thomas McCollum returns to play between the pipes. Among the new players is forward David Toews, who was assigned to the Walleye by the Chicago Blackhawks. David is the younger brother of Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews.
The entire opening day Toledo Walleye roster sits as follows.
Forwards:
- David Gilbert
- Kevin Harvey
- Aaron Lewicki
- Joey Martin
- Brian Matte
- Andrej Nestrasil
- Nick Oslund
- Mike Pelech
- Evan Rankin
- Harrison Reed
- Kyle Rogers
- David Toews
- Paul Zanette
Defensemen:
- Simon Danis-Pepin
- Scott Fletcher
- Gleason Fournier
- Matt Krug
- Kyle Page
- Phil Rauch
- Bryan Rufenach
Goaltender:
- Thomas McCollum
A limited number of tickets for opening night on October 15, 2011, are available online at ToledoWalleye.com, by phone at (419) 725-WALL or in person at the Huntington Center box office. Fans unable to attend the games can watch and listen at home using BCSN and Fox Sports Radio 1230 AM WCWA.
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