The Red Wings only have one prospect on the Toledo Walleye at present–goaltender Kaden Fulcher–and the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe reports that the Red Wings’ ECHL affiliate has a fine tandem of goaltenders to lean upon this season in Fulcher and one Billy Christopoulos:
Christopoulos had earned a spot on the All-ECHL rookie team in 2019-20 and looked to be a solid bet to lead the Walleye to a deep playoff run. Christopoulos had put together some stellar numbers (23-3-3 record with a 2.29 goals-against average) when the season came to a sudden end just as the Walleye secured the best winning percentage in the league.
“I know everybody feels like we have a little bit of unfinished business when we got shut down,” Christopoulos said. “We’re all excited to get back to the Huntington Center and listen to [fans] rock that place.”
Fulcher began his career in Toledo in 2018-19 with high expectations after signing with the Detroit Red Wings as a 20-year-old who was coming off a championship season in junior hockey.
However, Fulcher has been plagued by injury and stuck in a goalie logjam in the Red Wings’ system. He has played in only 38 games, including just two games for Toledo in 2019-20, since turning pro. He has appeared in seven games for the Walleye’s American Hockey League affiliate, Grand Rapids, and in 30 games for the Walleye. Fulcher also made his NHL debut for the Red Wings against the Buffalo Sabres on April 6, 2019.
“The first thing on my goal list is chasing that Kelly Cup,” Fulcher said. “I’m down here, and I want to win with this group. I want to help this team win hockey games.”
