The Red Wings’ ECHL affiliate, the Toledo Walleye, have had a busy summer, signing half-a-roster’s worth of Minor Pro free agents as the team attempts to replenish its roster.
Due to the level of roster turnover in the ECHL, combined with the uncertainty as to when the ECHL season will start, the Walleye have lost players like ECHL MVP Josh Kestner (who signed in Europe), so the team has had to display resiliency in inking undersized prospects and a couple of Ohio natives.
Today, the Walleye signed two players in defenseman Ryker Killins and forward Keeghan Howedeshell, as noted by the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe:
The Walleye signed Michigan native Keeghan Howdeshell, a forward, and Ontario native Ryker Killins, a defenseman, on Tuesday. Both players are entering their second seasons as pros and both played last season for the ECHL’s Rapid City Rush.
Howdeshell, a native of Brighton, Mich., produced 37 points in 47 games at the ECHL level. The 6-foot-2 and 209-pound forward scored 13 goals to go along with 24 assists for Rapid City.
Howdeshell, 22, also played in one game for the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League.
Walleye coach Dan Watson called Howdeshell a big, powerful forward who possesses good vision.
“Keeghan has the ability to score goals in tight … and can make plays under pressure,” Watson said. “We are happy to have Keeghan join the Walleye and continue to develop his skills to help grow his game.”
