The Toledo Walleye will be on the hunt for a new assistant coach after Alden Hirschfeld announced he’s stepping down after six seasons behind the bench to pursue opportunities outside of hockey. During his time with the Toledo, the team would make the playoffs in five of its six seasons, and won the Central Division three times. The Walleye would also make it to the Kelly Cup Finals three times during Hirschfeld’s time with the team. It has not yet been announced if the team will look to hire another assistant coach. Brent Bain has spent the last eight years in the organization, and the last four as an assistant.
Alden Hirschfeld, 37, would spend six seasons in the ECHL/AHL. He began his career in the AHL, where he played in 38 games with the Portland Pirates/Providence Bruins, putting up four goals and four assists for eight points. He would also see time in the ECHL during the 2012-13 season, where he had four goals and four assists for eight points in 18 games with the South Carolina Stingrays. Hirschfeld would pick up an assist in four games during the 2013 Kelly Cup Playoffs with the Stingrays. He would captain the Walleye during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
I want to give a huge thank you to Toledo and the fans for supporting me in my hockey career,” said Hirschfeld. “Starting out as a player for five years and then being a part of the coaching staff for seven years, Toledo Walleye hockey has been a huge part of my story. What a privilege it was to be a part of my hometown team for so long where my wife and I have been able to raise our kids around family. I don’t take for granted that this is rare in the hockey world.
To the coaches and players, thank you for making my job easy. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to be with each day. To the fans, thank you would never be enough. You guys always have and always will be the best fans in the league. Excited to now be a part of this group and be the biggest Walleye fan there is.
Hirschfeld on leaving the Walleye (Via Toledo Walleye Press Release)
The Sylvania, Ohio, native would spend his next five seasons with the Toledo Walleye/Grand Rapids Griffins. In 200 games with the Walleye, he put up 59 goals and 94 assists for 153 points. He would add two goals and five assists for seven points in 20 Kelly Cup Playoff Games. During his time with the Griffins, he put up two goals and three assists for five points in 30 games. Hirschfeld scored one goal during his five games with the Griffins during the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Prior to going pro, he spent four years at the NCAA level with Miami University (Ohio). He would put up 35 goals and 35 assists for 70 points in 134 games. During his first year with the Redhawks, he would play in the National Championship game.
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