The Toledo Walleye have added a veteran presence to their forward group, signing 29-year-old winger Darby Llewellyn for the 2025–26 ECHL season. With nearly a decade of pro hockey across North America and Europe, Llewellyn brings versatility, grit, and scoring depth to a Toledo lineup aiming to remain among the league’s toughest outs.
A Proven Pro Journeyman
Llewellyn enters Toledo with 300+ games of professional experience across multiple leagues. Most recently, he suited up for the Indy Fuel in 2024–25, playing 63 regular-season games and contributing 10 goals and 7 assists for 17 points. He also skated in four playoff games during Indy’s postseason run.
The season before, he split time between the Indy Fuel and the Kalamazoo Wings, where he logged 54 games, scoring seven goals and nine assists. Between his stints in Indiana and Michigan, Llewellyn established himself as a reliable forward capable of steady contributions.
European Experience Adds Depth
Llewellyn also sharpened his game overseas, playing in Norway, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. His most productive European stretch came with Piráti Chomutov in Czechia’s second division in 2019–20, when he scored 18 goals and added 14 assists for 32 points across 54 games.
In Norway’s Division 2, Llewellyn excelled as a top offensive option for Narvik Hockey, tallying 36 points in just 19 games during the 2021–22 campaign. His time with Sweden’s Halmstad Hammers HC further showcased his ability to adapt to different styles of play while still producing.
Earlier ECHL Stops
Before his overseas run, Llewellyn gained traction in the ECHL with the Rapid City Rush, Tulsa Oilers, and Atlanta Gladiators. His best ECHL season came with Atlanta in 2017–18, when he notched 17 goals and 13 assists for 30 points in 66 games, while also appearing in four playoff contests. That year remains a benchmark of his scoring ability at this level.
Why This Matters for Toledo
For the Walleye, signing Llewellyn means adding a seasoned pro who knows how to contribute in different roles. He has shown he can be a steady secondary scorer, a physical presence, and a dependable veteran in the locker room. At 6’0” and 190 pounds, his size and experience give Toledo flexibility on both wings, particularly in a division where every shift matters.
With Llewellyn’s addition, Toledo is not only adding depth but also proven adaptability—a trait that often separates contenders from the pack.
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