Walleye Add Two Defensemen - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Walleye Add Two Defensemen

Walleye Bring in Two Experienced Defenseman to Bolster Roster

Wes O'Neill and David Walker Join the Walleye for 2012-13

The Toledo Walleye have agreed to terms with defensemen Wes O'Neill and David Walker for the 2012-13 season.

O'Neill joins Toledo after spending consecutive seasons patrolling the blue line for the Kalamazoo Wings. The native of nearby Windsor, Ontario was originally a draft pick of the New York Islanders in the 2004 NHL Entry (4^th round). Captain of last year's Wings team, Wes has collected most of his 261 professional game experiences at the AHL/NHL level. He skated in five games over two seasons with the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL and appeared in 192 AHL games between Lake Erie and Bridgeport.

"Wes has a terrific skill set and brings a ton of leadership and experience to our club," said head coach Nick Vitucci. "We have had a chance to watch him up close over the past two years with Kalamazoo and like how he handles all situations on the ice. He is a true top flight defenseman who is extremely sound in his own end."

Prior to his professional career, Wes played his college hockey at Notre Dame University. The twenty-six year old was a member of the Fighting Irish 2006-07 CCHA Championship Team. O'Neill appeared in 154 games over four years with Notre Dame, scoring 17 goals with 61 assists and 160 penalty minutes.

David Walker started his professional career in 2004-05 with Long Beach (ECHL). Walker spent 391 of his 474 pro games in the ECHL between Long Beach and Ontario.

"David is a tremendous defenseman who will be counted on to play all key situations," said assistant coach Dan Watson, who played with David for two seasons in Long Beach (2004-06). "He will provide a veteran presence back on defense that we have been lacking the past couple years outside of Ryan Stokes. His character will be infectious throughout the locker room with the players and also with the fans of Toledo. His leadership abilities and knowledge of the ECHL are second to none and I look forward to working with him again, but in a different capacity."

Walker has collected 830 penalty minutes, 36 goals, and 152 assists in his career. He was a Captain in Ontario back in 2010-11, his last season in the ECHL. David spent last year in Germany. Prior to turning pro, the thirty-three year old played college hockey at Dalhousie University in Canada. He also spent three years playing Junior Hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Toledo Walleye will open the 2012-13 regular season on Saturday, October 13^th at home against the Division Rival Kalamazoo Wings. 2012-13 Season tickets are on sale now online at www.toledowalleye.com, or by phone at (419) 725-9255.

**The Toledo Walleye play all of their home games at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo. The Walleye are the proud ECHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings. **

#5 Wes O'Neill

Position:          Defenseman                 Height:            6'4"

Birthdate:        March 3, 1986               Weight:            218

Windsor, Ontario                                Shoots:                        Left

Last Goal:                                            Last Assist:                                          Playoffs

#27 David Walker

Position:          Defenseman                 Height:            6'0"

Birthdate:        June 13, 1979                Weight:            200

Bridgewater, NS                                  Shoots:                        Right

Last Goal:                                            Last Assist:                                          Playoffs