The Toledo Walleye continue to play well this season, heading towards the playoffs. As a team, they are clicking on all cylinders and preparing for the most important time of the year. However, individually, there is one player who is looking to break the walleye scoring record for points in a season. That player is forward Brandon Hawkins.
Walleye forward Hawkins having a special season
Hawkins has done nothing but score since he made his Toledo debut three years ago. A scoring machine, he has been consistent in point production even when the team was not as deep as it is this season. He has been a leader on and off the ice but when it comes to crunch time, he is the player to get the job done.
Hawkins is currently tied with former Walleye forward Shane Berschbach for most points in a Walleye season with 86 points. He needs one point in the last six games to set the record, which should not be hard to find given his point totals this season. This season, he has 37 goals and 49 assists for 86 points in 66 games and is 23 points ahead of Trenton Bliss, who is second in team scoring. Berschbach had 86 points on 18 goals and 68 assists in 70 games during the 2016-17 season. The Walleye have a record of 43-14-4-5 for 95 points, while the Walleye-led Berschbach team went 51-17-2-2 for 108 points.
Hawkins is also heading towards breaking the record for most points in Walleye history. Berschbach holds that record too, posting 116 goals and 277 points for 393 points. Hawkins is second on the list, coming in at 111 goals and 120 assists for 231 points. While he is still a ways away, he could reach that mark in 2-3 seasons if he returns to the team in the coming seasons.
Hawkins is one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the Walleye. He also combines leadership, a feisty game, and a legit goal-scorer who has led the team in more ways than one. One reason he has been successful in point production has been his +/-, which is a +22. This means he has been on the ice for more goals scored than goals against Toledo, this can be valuable come playoff time.
Hawkins leaves everything on the ice, and even though he is a prominent scorer, he will still go in the corners and battle along the boards. He leads by example, which is why he excels on the ice. Scoring may seem easy when it comes to Hawkins, but he does put in the time and does have the dedication to perfect his craft. He does have the will to keep going and he is competitive, which is why he does not quit. He wants to lead the league and scoring and win a Kelly Cup in the same season. While a championship is much harder to win, his eyes are now locked on the points race, as Toledo has already locked up a playoff spot.
