Walleye Agree To Terms With Seven More! Meet the Walleye Signees at Hens Game!
9/2/2009 - Toledo Walleye Catch Seven More!
New Team Agrees To Terms With Seven Players for the 2009-2010 Season…
(TOLEDO, OH) – The Toledo Walleye are pleased to announce the next wave of player signings for the inaugural 2009-2010 roster. The Walleye have agreed to terms with Jamie Milam, Steve Oleksy, Brandon Naurato, Dominic Osman, Derek Patrosso, Eric Giosa, and Mark Nebus (left to right in photo).
These seven players, along with last week’s signee, Malcolm MacMillan, will be formally introduced prior to Friday night’s Toledo Mud Hens game vs. the Columbus Clippers. They will be signing autographs in the concourse of Fifth Third Field from 7-7:45 p.m.
Head Coach Nick Vitucci will be signing autographs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the main concourse and will the be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Jamie Milam
The Northern Michigan University (2002-2006) product has two years ECHL experience with the Gwinnett Gladiators (2006-07, 2007-08). The 25-year-old most recently played in Sweden for AIK Hockey. The Lake Orion, Mich. native tallied 98 points in 157 career games for Northern Michigan and 101 points in 140 career games for Gwinnett.
Walleye Head Coach Nick Vitucci said, “Milam is a great offensive defenseman who will be a quarterback on our power play. Jamie has one of the hardest shots in minor pro hockey. He had two great seasons for Gwinnett in the ECHL.”
Position: Defense
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 200
Birthdate: May 13, 1984 in Lake Orion, Mich.
Shoots: Right
Steve Oleksy
Position: Defense
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 195
Birthdate: February 4, 1986 in Chesterfield, Mich.
Shoots: Right
The former Lake Superior State defenseman totaled 20 points (3 goals, 17 assists) in three seasons with the Lakers. Prior to his collegiate career, the 23-year-old spent a season with the Traverse City North Stars of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and had 30 points in 57 games. He played two games with the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL) following the conclusion of the 2008-09 collegiate season.
“Oleksy is a nice defensive-minded player who also has the ability to jump into the offense. I have watched him play on many occasions and saw his professional debut in Las Vegas last season. I have no doubt he will be a solid addition to the Walleye,” said Walleye Head Coach Nick Vitucci.
Oleksy has been invited to the Rockford IceHogs training camp in the American Hockey League.
Notes: Appeared in two games with the Las Vegas Wranglers last year…served as team captain with Traverse City in 2005-06…was a four-year letter winner in baseball for L’Anse Creuse North High School in Macomb, MI…brother (Daniel) played hockey at Oakland University.
Brandon Naurato
Position: Left Wing
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 190
Birthdate: January 22, 1985 in Livonia, Mich.
Shoots: Left
The 24-year-old totaled 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in his four-year career at the University of Michigan (2005-2009). He skated with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2004-05 and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders the previous season. Following his career at Michigan, he played for the ECHL’s Stockton Thunder and had two points in two regular season games and three points in 10 playoff games.
“Naurato is coming off an impressive college career at Michigan. He is a nice, powerful skater who will make things happen offensively as well as physically. He is a player that plays hard in the hard-to-play areas and as typical of all Michigan players is very committed to team defense,” Vitucci said.
Naurato has been invited to the Grand Rapids Griffins training camp in the American Hockey League.
Notes: Appeared in 10 playoff games with the Stockton Thunder (2g, 1a)…netted 32 goals during 4-year career at the University of Michigan
Dominic Osman
Position: Left Wing
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 180
Birthdate: February 4, 1982 in Dearborn, Mich.
Shoots: Left
Osman played four years of varsity hockey at Lake Superior State University and has most recently spent time in the International Hockey League (IHL) with the Kalamazoo Wings and Fort Wayne Komets. The 27-year-old scored 25 goals and added 29 assists from 2003-07 for Lake Superior State and played three games with the Reading Royals following his senior season. He had 47 points (24 goals, 23 assists) in 2007-08 with the New Mexico Scorpions of the Central Hockey League (CHL) before splitting time last season between two IHL clubs. Prior to his NCAA career, the Dearborn, Mich. native played for three teams in three seasons in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).
“Dominic is coming off a great season in the IHL with both Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo,” Vitucci said. “He is a gifted player with soft hands and a nose for the net. We will rely on Dominic to be an offensive force for the Walleye.”
Osman has been invited to the Grand Rapids Griffins training camp in the American Hockey League.
Notes: Scored 32 goals last year between Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo…graduated from Dearborn (MI) High School…scored the game-winning goal in triple OT during the semi-final game of the 2003 Junior Nationals held in Sault Ste. Marie…led the Lake State Lakers in scoring his freshman season, becoming the first frosh to lead the team in scoring since the 1979-80 season (Steve Mulholland)…limited to just 12 games as a sophomore due to injury.
Derek Patrosso
Patrosso began his career playing two seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before spending four years at Colorado College (NCAA Div. 3) and most recently the 2008-09 season with the Port Huron Icehawks of the International Hockey League (IHL). The 24-year-old Patrosso had 43 points (17 goals, 26 assists) in 68 games with the Icehawks and 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in his collegiate career.
“He is a tough, hard-working power forward who loves to get into those hard-to-play areas. Patrosso will contribute on both sides of the puck and is a big net presence. He has an impressive work ethic is all areas of the ice,” Vitucci said.
Patrosso has been invited to the Rockford IceHogs training camp in the American Hockey League.
Position: Right Wing
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 192
Birthdate: October 23, 1984 in Northville, Mich.
Shoots: Right
Notes: Collected 43 points (17g, 26a) in first pro season.
Eric Giosa
Position: Center
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 190
Birthdate: August 21, 1984 in Northville, Mich.
Shoots: Left
The Sacred Heart University product totaled 84 points with the Pioneers, including 16 goals and 13 assists in his senior season. He played four games with the ECHL’s Reading Royals following the completion of the NCAA season. Prior to his collegiate career, the 25-year-old played two seasons with the Toledo IceDiggers of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and combined for 60 points in 96 games.
“Giosa is a crafty, skilled player coming out of Sacred Heart. I look for him to add some offensive punch in his rookie season,” Vitucci said.
Giosa has been invited to the Grand Rapids Griffins training camp in the American Hockey League.
Notes: Played Juniors for Toledo IceDiggers from 2003-05…selected to 2005 NAHL All-Star Game…played hockey at Detroit Catholic Central High School, winning state championships in 2000-03 seasons…selected to All-State team in 2003…led Sacred Heart in goals (16) as a senior…played in four games with the Reading Royals in 2008-09.
Mark Nebus
Position: Right Wing
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 200
Birthdate: July 9, 1982 in South Lyon, Mich.
Shoots: Right
Mark Nebus is coming to Toledo after a career year of his own. Last season with the Kalamazoo Wings (IHL), the 26-year-old played in 37 games, but scored 24 goals and recorded 24 assists for 48 points with 99 penalty minutes, all career-highs. After collecting 59 points in four years for Wayne State University, he made his professional debut during the 2006-2007 season. In three professional years, Nebus has played in 107 games and has 206 penalty minutes.
“Mark is coming off a breakout year where he scored almost 25 goals last season while playing in Kalamazoo. Mark has a tenatious work ethic and plays a reckless style that our fans will love,” Vitucci said.
Nebus has been invited to the Grand Rapids Griffins training camp in the American Hockey League.
Notes: Averaged more than a point per game with Kalamazoo last year…scored 24 goals with 35 assists in four years at Wayne State University.
