The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that the organization has signed an affiliation agreement for the 2010-11 season with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, the leading professional development league for the American Hockey League and National Hockey League.
Toledo has posted a 33-27-6 record over the first 66 games of the 2009-10 campaign, their inaugural season in the ECHL and as a Chicago affiliate. Blackhawks draft picks Jonathan Carlsson (2008), Akim Aliu (2007), Maxime Tanguay (2007) and Simon Danis-Pepin (2006) have all suited up for Head Coach Nick Vitucci and the Walleye this year.
The Walleye franchise is owned and operated by Toledo Arena Sports, Inc, under the direction of President and General Manager Joe Napoli. The group also operates the Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Club of the Triple-A International League.