Toledo Walleye forward Trenton Bliss will be returning to Toledo for his third season in a Walleye jersey. He joins Sam Craggs, Brandon Hawkins, and Conlan Keenan in returning to the Walleye as the forward group for the 2024-25 season is looking strong.
Bliss began his hockey career with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in the 2016-17 season, producing one assist and ten penalty minutes in 24 games. He also played with the Coulee Region Chill of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in the same season, contributing three goals and two assists for five points in nine games. After another season with the Gamblers in the 2017-18 season, he spent time with Michigan Tech of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), producing 42 goals and 65 assists for 107 points in 138 games.
Bliss then made his pro debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League in 2021-22 and recorded two penalty minutes in three games. He would play a full season with Grand Rapids the following season, scoring one goal and three assists for four points in 30 games, but also saw time with Toledo during that same season. He would benefit from that ice time in Toledo, producing 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 points in 38 games.
During the 2023-24 season, he spent most of the season with the Walleye, scoring 27 goals and 45 assists for 72 points in 63 games, ranking as one of the top scorers on the Walleye. He would also see two games with the Griffins, posting one assist. In the playoffs, Bliss would score three goals and six assists for nine points in 11 games.
Bliss returns to a Walleye team looking to make a statement. He plays a quick game centered around getting pucks on the net and creating space for his teammates. He has a nose for the net, and I could see him playing on the top line this season. Bliss may also see time with Grand Rapids again this season if he continues to shine on the ice. He will be counted on to help lead the offense in the 2024-25 season as Toledo looks to remain one of the elite teams in the ECHL.
