Walleye name Pat Mikesch as fourth head coach in franchise history

TOLEDO, OH – The Toledo Walleye on Thursday announced Pat Mikesch as the new head coach for the hockey club. Mikesch becomes the fourth head coach in franchise history after serving eight seasons (2014-22) as general manager and head coach of the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers.

Mikesch spent a total of 11 seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers. He joined the USHL club in 2011 and served as associate head coach and director of scouting under Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde. He was promoted to head coach in June 2014 after Lalonde was named head coach for the Walleye. Mikesch led the Gamblers to five winning seasons and three playoff appearances in his eight years as head coach. While at Green Bay, he coached and assisted in the development of nearly 30 players who were drafted by the NHL, including Casey Mittelstadt, Nick Schmaltz, Jordan Schmaltz, Andrew Peeke, Andy Welinski, Mason Lohrei, and Gustav Olofsson.

Before Green Bay, Mikesch spent seven seasons (2004-11) as assistant coach at Michigan Technological University. He also led the United States U-17 team to three straight gold medals (2011-13) at the Five Nations Cup. He played for Michigan Tech from 1992-96 and eight seasons of pro hockey in the AHL, IHL, ECHL and Germany.

Originally from Hancock, Michigan, Mikesch and his wife Aimee have three adult children.Mikesch will be formally introduced to the media and special guests during a press conference on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Huntington Center. Fans can watch the event live on the Walleye YouTube channel.