On Monday, the ECHL released the list of players who received valid qualifying offers from ECHL teams by the July 7 deadline.
Players who had signed a contract by July 7 did not need to receive a qualifying offer. The list for the Toledo Walleye includes five defensemen and three forwards.
Players who received qualifying offers
Grant Gabriele
Gabriele missed 32 games because of an AHL call-up but still made an impact on the defensive end. He recorded one goal and 14 assists for 15 points in 40 games but was also an impressive +34. He also had 0 penalty minutes during his first season with the Walleye. The 6-foot-2 and 196-pound native of Brighton, Michigan. His play was so impressive that he played five games in the American Hockey League last season, going scoreless. A good, steady defenseman who could return next season and supply steady play on the defensive end.
Riley McCourt
One of the many players to leave the Walleye to play overseas. He left his mark on the ice, with matching skill, strong defensive play, and chirps on the ice. McCourt led the Walleye defensemen with 52 points in 67 games and added seven points in 14 playoff games. A player who the opposition does not like, he announced shortly after the season was over that he would be heading to the Augsburger Panthers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
Michael Prapavessis
Prapavessis was a solid defenseman in his only season in Toledo. He posted two goals and 17 assists for 19 points in 46 games and a +14. He scored one goal and eight assists for nine points in 14 playoff games. His experience and leadership will be a big benefit to the Odense Bulldogs of the Metal Ligaen of Denmark for the 2024-25 season.
Matt Anderson
Anderson had a solid offensive season for the Walleye, producing 13 goals and 23 assists for 34 points in 68 games. He also had a +26 along with 26 penalty minutes. In 14 playoff games, he scored three goals and six assists for nine points. His solid overall play now heads to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, where he played three games last season and recorded three assists.
Will Cullen
Another defenseman with good offensive numbers in 2023-24, Will Cullen is a defenseman who finished the season with the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). For the Walleye, he scored five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 28 games, while scoring six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 28 points for Belfast. Cullen also played six games (one goal, two assists) for the HK Olimpija Ljubljana of the win2day ICE Hockey League. He would be a nice addition to the Walleye next season.
Jason Willms
Willms came to the Walleye after a successful career with the University of New Brunswick. While he only played seven games late last season, he did score one goal and five assists for six points. He was extremely effective in his short stay in Toledo, allowing him to seek other possibilities after the season. He found that opportunity, committing to play the 2024-25 season with the Vienna Capitals of the ICE Hockey League.
Brady Gilmour
Gilmour is yet another player gone from last season’s roster. He has committed to play the 2024-25 season with the Pioneers Vorarlberg of the ICE Hockey League. Last season, he came to the Walleye after four seasons with the University of New Brunswick. He would play seven games for Toledo, recording one goal and two assists.
Orrin Centazzo
Centazzo finished fourth in team scoring last season for Toledo, posting 22 goals and 32 assists for 54 points in 68 games. He also appeared in five games with the Belleville Senators, posting one goal. He was offensively one of the best players on the Walleye roster and he takes his talents overseas to HK Propad in Slovakia. An offensively gifted player who can take over a roster.
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