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The Toledo Walleye have released the following statement in regards to the plane crash in Russia involving members of Lokomotiv of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
"It is with a heavy heart that the Toledo Walleye organization express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the tragic plane accident that occurred this morning in Russia. Former Toledo Storm goaltender Stefan Liv and former Detroit Red Wing assistant coach Brad McCrimmon were two of the reported 43 people who perished in this accident.”
Liv played in three games for the Toledo Storm during the 2006-07 season. His Head Coach during that time was current Walleye Head Coach Nick Vitucci.
“Stefan was sent down to Toledo for a short stay and showed that he was not only a world-class goaltender but a motivated and hard-working goaltender,” said Toledo Head Coach Nick Vitucci.
The 30-year-old Liv helped Sweden win gold medals in the Olympics and world championships in 2006.
Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman Christer Englund told The Associated Press that Liv was on board. At least 43 people were killed in the crash in Yaroslavl.
Liv is survived by his wife, Anna, sons Herman and Harry, and his parents.
Walleye signings
The Toledo Walleye and Coach Nick Vitucci announced that forward Kevin Harvey has agreed to terms for the 2011-12 season.
Harvey, drafted by the Calgary Flames in the ninth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, split time last year between Rapid City in the CHL and the Springfield Falcons of the AHL. Kevin accumulated 210 penalty minutes in 46 total games last year. Harvey has 1,293 penalty minutes since making his professional debut in 2006-07.
Vitucci discussed Harvey, “He is tough, physical and gritty. No doubt he will become an instant fan favorite here in Toledo.”
Forward Joey Martin has agreed to terms for the 2011-12 season. Martin, a native of Thorold, Ontario, has spent the last four seasons with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. For his college career, the 23-year-old appeared in 152 contests with 39 goals, 64 assists and 116 penalty minutes. His 35 points led the team last season. Martin finished tied for 11th in career scoring at UNO with 103 points.
“Joey is a skilled offensive minded forward with great speed and vision,” said Vitucci. “He should become a nice asset for us.”
Forward Harrison Reed has also agreed to terms. Reed, a third round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, split time last season between Lake Erie of the AHL and Tulsa of the CHL (Central Hockey League). Harrison has appeared in 174 games over the course of three professional seasons at the AHL level. In total, Reed has collected 31 goals and 32 assists in a total of 212 pro games.
“Harrison has been a big offensive contributor at this level,” said Head Coach Nick Vitucci. “We look forward to him continuing that trend in a Walleye jersey this year.”
The Walleye have extended training camp offers to seven players that participated in the Free Agent Tryout Camp on August 20 and 21 at the Huntington Center.
Forwards Anthony Longo, Nikita Mandrik and Lee McClure along with defensemen Michael Jordan and Tim Brownell and goaltenders Michael Bacashihua and Kal Saimbhi were all invited to the 2011 Toledo Walleye Training Camp. All seven players have accepted the invites and will be a part of the camp that begins on Friday, September 30th.
Vitucci said, “We felt that these seven men stood out from the 72 players we looked at in two days at the Huntington Center. The talent level continues to get better every year we hold the camp. I was impressed by the group we had this year.”
Kal Saimbhi (6-0, 180 pounds) is a native of Edmonton, Alberta and started his junior career with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders in 2004-05. The 24-year-old also played three seasons with the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
Michael Bacashihua (6-2, 190) is a native of Taylor, Michigan. He has been playing hockey since the age of four.
Anthony Longo (5-10, 205) resides in Staten Island, New York. The 24-year-old played 18 games last year with New York of the Federal Hockey League, scoring once with four assists. Anthony played his college hockey at Lebanon Valley in Pennsylvania.
Nikita Mandrik (6-0, 180) is a 19-year-old from Thornhill, Ontario and has appeared in 73 games between four different teams the last three seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He has 15 goals and 14 assists in those stops.
Beavercreek, Ohio native Lee McClure (6-0, 194) is 21 years of age. He appeared in 21 games in the AAHL (All American Hockey League) last season with 8 goals, 14 assists and 74 penalty minutes.
Twenty one-year-old defenseman Tim Brownell (6-4, 205) played the last four years for the Weber State University hockey team in Utah. He currently resides in Lake in the Hills, Illinois.
Michael Jordan (5-9, 175) is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 25-year-old has been playing Single-A hockey for the past four years.
The Walleye will open the 2011-12 season on October 15 vs. Chicago at the Huntington Center. Fans can call 419-725-WALL or visit www.toledowalleye.com to purchase tickets.
The Walleye are the ECHL affiliate of the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.
The Chicago Express announced today that their home game versus the Toledo Walleye originally scheduled for Nov. 18 has been moved to Nov. 16. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. Toledo time)
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