ECHL: An Interview with Toledo Walleye Brandon Hawkins

This year, Brandon Hawkins got the honor of being named captain of the ECHL All-Stars for the ECHL All-Star game in Savannah. This is a familiar spot for Hawkins as he also serves on the leadership group with the Toledo Walleye, “I’m one of four assistant captains in Toledo; we do a leadership group. It’s special to be a captain and to be around all these guys, and it was a blast, and it’s a pleasure to be their captain” said Hawkins after the All-Star game. Hawkins began his ECHL career with the Wheeling Nailers in the 2019-20 season, putting up 16 goals and 17 assists for 33 in 46 games. The following season was the COVID season, but it would be one of the best seasons for Hawkins and the Fort Wayne Komets as the Michigan native put up 23 goals and 16 assists for 49 points in the regular season and six goals and five assists for 11 points in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, “It’s definitely up there as one of the biggest things, it was cool, we had such a close-knit group there in Fort Wayne that will likely never play together again cause of the situation we were in, but it was an absolute blast, and it was a pleasure to play for them” said Hawkins.

The following season, Hawkins would join the Toledo Walleye, where he spent the last two seasons playing and is one of the best crowds in the ECHL, “It’s awesome, they’re like the NHL of the ECHL, it’s a lot of fun, and the fan base is so fun, it’s something me and my wife hold near and dear to our heart” said Hawkins. The 29-year-old forward spent two seasons playing for Dan Watson, who finally got the call-up prior to the season starting to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, “It’s huge, he’s an awesome person, and he really deserves it, you can see his track record in Toledo, he really proved how much he worked and how much he cared about the city and winning, he really helped guys grow up not only as adults but as hockey players” said Watson. Hawkins also mentioned the transition from Pat Mikesch to Dan Watson has been seamless, “Both tremendous coaches and communicators, it was almost a seamless transition going from coach to coach, so it’s cool, Pat’s an awesome guy, and he communicates really well, and he has a good sense of humor and makes coming to the rink every day a good time.”

Overall, Hawkins has really enjoyed his career and is looking to growing and continuing to get better as his career moves forward, “It’s been a blast, it’s been a lot of fun, a lot of ups and downs, but you kinda weather the storm and find ways to get better, and that’s what’s kinda to this point, and I try to get better every year, and every day I’m getting older, but you can always learn something new” said the 29-year-old forward.