The Toledo Walleye took a significant hit with the departure of forwards Trenton Bliss and Tyler Spezia, both heading to overseas teams. The blow was made even more critical by the announcement that standout goaltender Jan Bednar will also continue his career abroad with the HC Ässät Pori, in the Finnish Liiga.
This news follows the Walleye’s recent Kelly Cup Final appearance, where Bednar played a pivotal role. In 12 playoff games, he recorded seven wins and five losses, with a 2.37 goals-against average (GAA) and a .909 save percentage (SV%). Throughout the playoffs, Bednar not only faced 307 shots but also played more games than any other Walleye goaltender. As a result, his consistent presence between the pipes became a cornerstone of the team’s postseason success..
History in the Making
At just 22 years old, Bednar has already built an impressive resume. Drafted 107th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, the Czech native began his hockey journey in his home country’s local leagues before moving up to the Czech Extraliga—the nation’s premier league.
In 2023, Bednar transitioned to North American hockey, joining the QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan via the CHL Import Draft. Over 69 games in the league, he posted a 3.12 GAA and a .902 SV%, turning aside 1,920 shots and allowing 207 goals—solid numbers for a young netminder adapting to a new style of play.
Bednar’s professional breakthrough came in March 2023 when he signed his first pro contract with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. From there, he split time between Grand Rapids and Toledo, appearing in four AHL games with a 2.12 GAA and .919 SV%. Over two and a quarter seasons with the Walleye, Bednar played in 76 games, posting a 2.51 GAA and .907 SV%. His personality and play had a lasting impact on both the team and its fans.
With Bliss, Spezia, and Bednar all moving on, the Toledo Walleye face a challenging offseason. As one of the ECHL’s top-tier franchises and reigning Western Conference Champions, Toledo must now regroup and retool. Whether the Walleye begin a rebuild or gear up for another strong run next season remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: they have big shoes to fill.
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