Coaching Staff
NICK VITUCCI - Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations
Nick Vitucci has had hockey coursing through his veins for most of his life. Nick has been Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Toledo Walleye from the very beginning in 2009. A native of Welland, Ontario, he won a record five ECHL championships (four as a player; one as assistant coach) and has been involved in the league every season since its inception.
Named the post-season Most Valuable Player twice (1989 & 1996), he played 14 seasons and is the ECHL career leader among goaltenders in games (479), minutes (27,291), wins (265), 20-win seasons (7), consecutive 30-win seasons (2), and consecutive 20-win seasons (4). Nick is also the ECHL post-season record holder in games among goaltenders (80), minutes (4,841), and wins (43).
He was named to the ECHL 15th Anniversary Team in 2003, played in two ECHL All-Star Games and was named First Team All-ECHL in 1991-92 and 1997-98. Named ECHL Goaltender of the Year in 1997-98, he was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame on January 23, 2008 in Stockton, CA in conjunction with the ECHL All-Star Game. It was the Hall-of-Fame's inaugural class.
Vitucci was Head Coach of the Toledo Storm from 2003-07 and was named ECHL Coach of the Year in 2004-05. His overall record with the Toledo Storm was 140-104-18. Prior to his work with the Storm, he was an Assistant Coach with the Greenville Grrrowl in the ECHL from 2000-2003.
DAN WATSON - Assistant Coach
Dan has worked with Nick Vitucci as Assistant Coach for the Toledo Walleye since their inaugural 2009-10 season. A native of Glencoe, Ontario, he was Head Coach at Puckmasters in Cleveland, OH. As a player, he spent three seasons with the Sarnia Sting (OHL) and appeared in 202 consecutive games. He was recognized as the 1998-99 Scholastic Player of the Year at Sarnia and the 1999-00 Defensive Player of the Year. He also played in the 1998-99 OHL All-Star Game.
In May of 2000, Dan signed as free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets and played seven professional seasons in the AHL, UHL, and ECHL. Career stats: 447 games played, 23 goals, 66 assists, and 394 penalty minutes. Watson was named the 2004-05 Defensive Player of the Year (Long Beach Ice Dogs, ECHL) and was team captain in Long Beach for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.
BRAD FREDRICK - Athletic Trainer
Brad had been the Athletic Trainer for the Toledo Storm for three seasons and joined the Toledo Walleye in the same capacity in the very beginning. Brad handles the daily treatment and physical evaluation of all Toledo Walleye players, manages player injury rehabilitation and workouts.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, he spent nine years covering high school athletics in the Toledo area with ProMedica's Sports Care before joining the Toledo Storm. Brad's degree from BGSU in 1995 is in Athletic Training.
DAVE ALEO - Equipment Manager
Dave is a seasoned veteran and joined the Walleye in our inaugural year. Dave started as an Assistant Equipment Manager in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs (1994-2001) and the New York Islanders (2001). For three seasons he was Equipment Manager for the Toledo Storm (2003-2006), two the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL (2006-2008).
He was a member of the Hamilton Bulldogs team that won the 2007 Calder Cup Championship and was selected to work the 2008 AHL All-Star Game and the 2000 NHL All-Star Game. Also participated in the World Under-18 Championship as Equipment Manager for Team Canada that went on to win the Gold Medal.
MATT ROTH, MD - Team Physician
When team physician Matt Roth, MD, is not overseeing the health of the Walleye players, he is taking care of patients at Arrowhead Family Physicians in Maumee.
Dr. Roth completed his fellowship in primary care sports medicine and his family medicine residency at ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Toledo. He received his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health in Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Roth enjoys running and survived his first Tough Mudder challenge in early 2012. He and his wife, Carol, have three children - Alyssa, Mallory and AJ.
ED BURKHOLDER - Head Scout/Director of Player Personnel
Ed Burkholder is in his 9th year with the Toledo Hockey Operations Department. Ed scouted for the Detroit Red Wings during Toledo's two year hiatus from the ECHL. Ed started his scouting career in 2000 with the San Angelo Outlaws of the WPHL. In 2001, he joined the ECHL's Greenville Grrrowl and worked two seasons there, including the ECHL Kelly Cup Championship in 2002.
After playing three seasons (1986-89) with the Thorold Jr. B Blackhawks, he became head coach of the Welland Midget AAA hockey club for three seasons and manages several hockey skills clinics in the Niagara area. The former testicular cancer survivor is a highly regarded guest speaker, and has made more than 60 appearances on TSN's hit show "Off The Record" with Michael Landsberg. He also provides the color commentary for the Niagara IceDogs on the OHL Tonight package with TVCogeco.
MIKE BUKATOR - Associate Head Scout/Ontario Scout
Mike previously held scouting positions with the Cobourg Cougars (OJHL), Greenville Grrrowl (ECHL), Toledo Storm (ECHL), and the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL) before joining the Toledo Walleye.
As a scout he's on the road a lot, with main scouting territories including leagues in the N.C.A.A., C.I.S., and O.H.L. Mike is also the Goaltending Program Director as well as a Minor Midget AAA coach in the Welland Minor Hockey Organization in Ontario. He also works throughout the year as a goalie coach for CAN/AM Hockey Camps at numerous locations throughout North America.
Other Toledo Walleye Scouts: Robert Blaine (Western Scout)
