The Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe spoke with Toledo Walleye coach Pat Mikesch and several Walleye players as the Red Wings’ ECHL affiliate opened training camp with an open-to-the-public practice on Monday night at the Huntington Center:
Toledo opened training camp with 13 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goalies. The uptempo session lasted about an hour and a half.
“The whole purpose of it just was to get guys comfortable getting up on the ice and up to speed today,” Mikesch said. “[Speed] will be a major identity to our team. We wanted the fans to be able to kind of see the kind of energy we will have. Today was good for pace.”
Mikesch said the team’s quickness among his defensemen particularly stood out on day one.
“Even with good size, I like how well they move,” he said. “To be on the ice with them and to see how well our back end is gonna skate it was great to see.”
Among 13 players returning players from last season are forwards Brandon Hawkins and Conlan Keenan.
“It’s good to get back to see all the guys from last year and then meet all the new guys as well,” said Keenan, who had 30 points in 60 games last season. “Practice was fast-paced. We’re going to have a quick team. We’re going to be a very skilled offensive team.”
