1. Home
  2. News
  3. Dan Watson returns as Walleye head coach

Dan Watson returns as Walleye head coach

Tuesday, July 26th
Dan Watson returns as Walleye head coach

(Toledo, OH) – The Toledo Walleye on Thursday announced Dan Watson has signed a five-year contract to remain head coach of the hockey club.Watson returns for his sixth season as head coach after leading the Walleye to another trip to the Kelly Cup Finals, losing to Florida four games to one. In 2019, he guided the Walleye to its first ever Finals appearance, falling to Newfoundland four games to two. With no playoffs in 2020 and the Walleye not competing in 2021, he has led Toledo to back-to-back finals appearances.

Watson returns for his sixth season as head coach after leading the Walleye to another trip to the Kelly Cup Finals, losing to Florida four games to one. In 2019, he guided the Walleye to its first ever Finals appearance, falling to Newfoundland four games to two. With no playoffs in 2020 and the Walleye not competing in 2021, he has led Toledo to back-to-back finals appearances.

Toledo Walleye executive vice president and general manager Neil Neukam is pleased to have Watson back.

In five seasons as head coach, Watson has compiled a regular season record of 227-93-11-27 and capturing the 2017 and 2022 Brabham Cups for best regular season record in the ECHL. His 227 regular season wins are the most for any Walleye head coach and are the second most in Toledo ECHL history (Nick Vitucci, 289). Watson has compiled a 42-29 all-time playoff record. He was named head coach for the ECHL All-Star Game in 2017 and in 2022. For Watson, this will be his fifteenth season in Toledo, after finishing his playing career with the Toledo Storm during the 2006-07 season and serving as assistant coach for seven seasons with the Walleye.

Upcoming Home Games

Full Schedule
White Out
Saturday, December 21st
White Out
Puck Drops:
7:15 PM EST
Huntington Center
Wheeling Nailers
WHL Wheeling Nailers
at
Toledo Walleye
TOL Toledo Walleye
Huntington Center
Iowa Heartlanders @ Toledo Walleye
Friday, December 27th
Iowa Heartlanders @ Toledo Walleye
Puck Drops:
7:15 PM EST
Huntington Center
Iowa Heartlanders
IA Iowa Heartlanders
at
Toledo Walleye
TOL Toledo Walleye
Huntington Center
Marvel Super Hero Night
Sunday, December 29th
Marvel Super Hero Night
Puck Drops:
5:15 PM EST
Huntington Center
Cincinnati Cyclones
CIN Cincinnati Cyclones
at
Toledo Walleye
TOL Toledo Walleye
Huntington Center

Latest News

More News
Lewandowski gets game winner in shootout win against Bloomington
Lewandowski gets game winner in shootout win against Bloomington
Craggs tallies 5 points in dominant win against Bloomington
Craggs tallies 5 points in dominant win against Bloomington
Sample beers at Winter Brewfest in February
Sample beers at Winter Brewfest in February

Get Toledo Walleye updates!

Sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know about Walleye news and upcoming games.

Our Sponsors