Forward Orrin Centazzo is the latest in a growing list of players to leave the Toledo Walleye and commit to play the 2024-25 season overseas. He is now the eighth player to leave the team in the off-season.
Centazzo came to the Walleye last season after spending time with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL, where he posted 46 points in 39 games. With Toledo, he recorded 22 goals and 32 assists for 54 points in 60 games, giving the Walleye a well-balanced attack up front. He played his junior career with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) before turning pro.
He made his pro debut with Newfoundland in 2021-22 and saw time with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL).
He now heads to Slovakia to play for HK Poprad. The 5-foot-8 and 163-pound left winger is a dynamic force in the offensive zone and will bring much energy to the forward group. The 24-year-old joins several new players to join HK Poprad for the 2024-25 season. New faces for the club include defensemen Samuel Fereta and Alex Cajkovic. Forwards include Juraj Siska, Tomas Torok, and Michal Mrazik. The Slovakian team posted a record of 32-15-3 for a .628 winning percentage, ending the season with a two-game winning streak.
With turnover and players leaving comes opportunity. The Walleye have lost a lot of talent this off-season, but those losses come a chance for other players, returning or making their debuts, to come in and prove themselves. Toledo has a chance to add players to once again be a force in the league next season.
