The Toledo Walleye continued their trend of signing smaller but skilled players to round out their ECHL team roster for the 2020-2021 season on Wednesday, signing 25-year-old center Hunter Garlent as a free agent. Garlent only stands at 5’9″ and 172 pounds, but the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe reports that Garlent comes highly-regarded as far as Walleye coach Dan Watson’s is concerned:
“Hunter is someone I see playing in all situations because of his intelligence and knack for reading the play,” Watson said. “He will be counted on to play big minutes and be one of our go-to guys.”
Monroe also summarizes the Walleye’s roster situation:
The Walleye have now signed 16 players so far this offseason: eight forwards, seven defensemen, and one goalie.
Second-year goaltender Trevor Gorsuch remains the only netminder signed this offseason. Although veteran Pat Nagle signed with Grand Rapids and could see more time with the Walleye this season.
The forward group is led by veterans Shane Berschbach and Kyle Bonis. Brett Boeing also returns. Brandon Hawkins, Keeghan Howdeshell, Conlan Keenan, and Luke Sandler are the other forwards.
The defensemen that have signed this offseason are Butrus Ghafari, Ryker Killins, Ryan Lowney, Chris McKay, Gordi Myer, Kevin Spinozzi, and Connor Walters.
The team has signed six rookies: Myer, Killins, Howdeshell, Kennan, Walters, and Ghafari.
