For Immediate Release: September 15, 2017
Toledo Walleye Preview
The Cincinnati Cyclones will welcome in 14 different opponents to U.S. Bank Arena this season and we are going to take a closer look at each one. Up next in our preview series are the defending Brabham Cup Champion Toledo Walleye- ECHL affiliate of the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) and the Detroit Red Wings (NHL). The Walleye and Cyclones are division rivals for the first time since the 2014-15 season, as the ECHL Divisional Realignment that occurred over the summer has the two in the Central Division.
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2017-18 Schedule vs. Cincinnati:
Home: 11/18, 1/5, 1/14, 1/28
Away: 11/17, 11/22, 3/18, 3/31
Last Season:
2016-17 Regular Season Record: 51-217-2-2, 106 Points. Brabham Cup Champions for best ECHL Regular Season Record
2016-17 Leading Scorers:
Shane Berschbach – 18g-68a-86p, 70GP
Tylor Spink – 28g-48a-76p, 66GP
Tyson Spink – 33g-42a-75p, 69GP
The 2016-17 season marked the first time in Toledo Walleye history and second time in Toledo hockey history (1992 as the Toledo Storm) that the team won Brabham Cup, which is awarded to the team with the best regular season record. Toledo finished 8 points clear of the Ft. Wayne Komets in the Central Division, and two points ahead of the Allen Americans for the League’s best record.
After storming through the regular season, the Walleye continued their success in the playoffs, reaching the Western Conference Finals with a thrilling seven-game series win over the Kalamazoo Wings and a 4 games to 1 series win over the Ft. Wayne Komets. The run ended in the Conference Finals, as they ran into the eventual Kelly Cup Champion Colorado Eagles who took down Toledo, 4 games to 1.
History:
The Walleye were founded as the Toledo Storm in 1991, with the current Walleye franchise having been members of the ECHL since 2009. In that time, Toledo has made the Kelly Cup Playoffs in five of their first eight seasons and have reached the Conference Finals twice; in 2014-15 and 2016-17.As the Storm, Toledo posted a 610-395-103 record with a pair of Riley Cups, two Brabham Cups, and six division titles.
Hockey in Toledo dates back to 1947 with the Toledo Mercurys of the International Hockey League (IHL). In that time, the city has seen 11 different teams across nine different junior and professional leagues. All told, 11 championship teams have called the city of Toledo Home.
Arena:
The Walleye play their home games at the Huntington Center; an 8,000 seat, $105 million venue that was built in 2009. In addition to Walleye games, the Huntington Center hosts a wide range of national and international touring concerts and performances, along with family shows, college and high school hockey and basketball, and more.
The march towards 2017 First Face-Off is ON! The Cincinnati Cyclones return to U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, October 14, when they take on the Kalamazoo Wings. In the meantime, we invite you to stay tuned in the coming weeks for information on tickets and promotions for the 2017-18 season, great offseason events like Concrete Clones, player signings, and MORE! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding Cyclones Season and Group Tickets, and you can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
