ECHL: Walleye’s Sawchuk Playing Pivotal Role, Provides Secondary Scoring

Photo via Grand Rapids Griffins

As the Toledo Walleye prepare for game three first-round series against the Kalamazoo Wings, They know game three will be different as the Wings will come out flying. The Walleye have to play their game in what could be a wild game as Kalamazoo looks to get back into the series. One player that has played a pivotal role in the regular season and playoffs has been center Riley Sawchuk.

Walleye’s Sawchuk making a difference on the ice

The 5-foot-11 and 181-pound Sawchuk is not the biggest player on the ice, but he plays a big game. During his career, he has been consistent in his play and offensive contributions. His elevation and development to a player that Toledo has high praise for has been sensational to watch his pro career unfold.

Before his pro career began, he played four seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Tri-City Americans and Edmonton Oil Kings. He took his game to another level and became an important player as he began to adapt to the WHL and grow his game. At the end of his junior career, he would produce 62 goals and 98 assists for 160 points in 259 games and was ready to take that next step.

His next step would be playing for Mount Royal University of USports. There, he continued to sharpen his skill set by adding small things like adding muscle and more speed. This method worked to his advantage as he would go on a tremendous offensive surge, scoring 35 goals and 52 assists for 87 points in 47 games over three seasons.

The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL) would sign Sawchuk to a professional tryout (PTO) for the remainder of the 2022-23 season and a standard player contract (SPC) for the upcoming 2023-24 season. He would turn pro at the end of the 2022-23 season and score three goals in 23 games.

He would make his way down to Toledo and do some fine-tuning of his game and further develop his all-around game. He has found success with the Walleye, providing secondary scoring. He has a lethal shot, excellent passing, and shooting accuracy as part of his overall skill set.

This season, Sawchuk had 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points in 50 games. He also had 24 penalty minutes, two power-play goals, and six game-winning goals. As a younger player, turned into an offensive threat and could be in for bigger things next season. He has adapted to the pro level of hockey quite well and has shown improvement in his 200-foot game, making him a dual threat on offense and defense.

He has shown that he can score in the most critical of games, scoring two goals in two playoff games for Toledo this postseason against the Wings. After being reassigned to the Walleye last week, he wants to prove that he can play at both levels. He could become a secret weapon as Kalamazoo focuses on high-scoring forwards Brandon Hawkins and Trenton Bliss. This may allow Sawchuk more time and space to create in the offensive zone, putting up solid numbers as the walleye looks to grab game three.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Connor Russell Heads Overseas After Steady Run with the Icemen

Jacksonville Icemen blueliner Connor Russell is headed across the pond for the 2025-26 season, signing with the Coventry Blaze (EIHL). Known for his physical edge and shot-blocking presence, Russell now takes his game to the UK after logging nearly 200 games of professional hockey in North America. Reliable Presence on the Blue Line Russell appeared […]

Read More

ECHL: Matt Staudacher Heads Back Overseas

Bloomington Bison defenseman Matt Staudacher is heading overseas to England to join the Leeds Knights of the NIHL after putting up a goal and eight assists for nine points in 39 games. Staudacher began the 2024-25 season in Italy with Brixen/Bressanone, where he had 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 19 games […]

Read More

ECHL: Tommy Cormier Heads Back To Trois-Rivières Lions

The Lions will have one Cormier brother back next season as the Trois-Rivières Lions announced that they’ve re-signed Tommy Cormier for the 2025-26 season. His brother, Xavier Cormier, has signed a contract to play in Slovakia next year. In his rookie season, Tommy would put up 15 goals and 23 assists for 38 points in […]

Read More