ECHL: Maine Mariners and Toledo Walleye Swap Rookies

The Maine Mariners and Toledo Walleye struck a deal on Wednesday afternoon as the Mariners sent forward Griffin Ness to Toledo in exchange for defenseman Cole Cameron. Both players joined their teams late last season after finishing their collegiate careers.

What Did The Mariners Get?

Cole Cameron joins the Mariners blueline after playing just eight games last season with the Toledo Walleye at the end of the regular season. The 26-year-old forward will join what is shaping up to be a very young blueline for Maine heading into next season, as Justin Bean is the only defenseman with over 100+ ECHL games under his belt. There’s no doubt that heading into training camp, Cameron will have a chance to prove to the Mariners’ coaching staff that he can be an everyday player in their lineup.

Prior to going pro, the Johnstown, Ontario native spent three seasons in the OHL with the Owen Sound Attack, North Bay Battalion, and Kitchener Rangers, putting up two goals and 26 assists for 28 points in 195 games. Cameron would then play four years in USports, playing three years at the University of Guelph, where he had six goals and 12 assists for 18 points in 61 games, including winning a USports Championship in 2020. He put up two goals and six assists for eight points in 31 games with Toronto Metro University last season before signing his first pro deal in Toledo; he had signed a contract for next season with Toledo on July 31st.

What Did The Walleye Get?

Ness, 24, joins the Walleye after playing in just two games with the Mariners last season. Toledo has been able to retain a decent number of its forwards from last season. Ness is just the second new face for the Walleye upfront, joining Casey Dornbach, who spent last year with the Iowa Heartlanders.

Prior to going pro, the Wayzata, Minnesota native played in 107 games with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL, putting up 36 goals and 42 assists for 78 points. He would serve as the Captain of the Black Hawks in each of the two seasons he played there. Ness would play his collegiate hockey at the University of North Dakota, where he would put up ten goals and ten assists for 20 points in 111 career NCAA games. The Fighting Hawks won the NCHC Championship in 2021 and would win the NCHC Regular Season Championships in 2021 and 2024.