The Toledo Walleye have received forward Grant Loven on loan from the Fayetteville Marksmen of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). This is Loven’s second stint this season in Toledo.
Walleye’s Loven provides secondary scoring, two-way play
Loven, a 5-11 and 192-pound center, returns to the Toledo Walleye after having a successful season with the Marksmen. For Fayetteville, he has 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points, 18 penalty minutes, and is a +1 in 33 games. In his other stint with the Walleye, he had one assist, two penalty minutes, and was a +1 in three games.
A native of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, the 26-year-old Loven fits right in with the Walleye style of play, an offensive machine who can contribute on both ends of the ice. He can be a good asset on a regular shift or the power play, using his lethal shot and underrated passing skills to set up scoring chances. Regardless of who his linemates are, he gives Toledo another offensive weapon, ready to create havoc in the offensive zone.
Loven played for the Northern Michigan Wildcats of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from 2019/20- 2020/21. There he was finding his game and came away with a solid career, posting three goals and 11 assists for 14 points and 49 penalty minutes in 44 games.
His offensive game has grown into him being a legit weapon on offense but also dangerous in the corners and in front of the net. When he has the puck on his stick, he is patient enough to create something out of nothing.
This season, Loven and his SPHL team, Fayetteville, have a battle on their hands for first place overall. The Marksmen have a record of 24-7-4 for 52 points and are four points behind the overall leaders, the Birmingham Bulls. Getting Loven back in the lineup would certainly help Fayetteville. However, while he is in Toledo, they will make sure has every chance to be successful on the road to a playoff berth.
