ECHL Toledo Walleye

Twelfth Version of Toledo Storm Unveiled at Historic Landmark

Published on October 9, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Toledo Walleye News Release


(Toledo, Ohio). The Toledo Storm of the East Coast Hockey League today formally introduced the players comprising the 2002-03 official season-opening roster during Media Day held at the Oliver House, the historic downtown Toledo landmark.

Representatives of the Storm and the Oliver House also announced the renewal of a wide-ranging partnership, under which Mutz, the sports bar on the lower floor of the Oliver House, will once again serve as the host-site for the team's weekly coach's show, "A Storm is Brewing At Mutz In The Oliver House," on Tuesday nights from 6-7 p.m.

The 2002-03 Toledo roster includes six members who played some portion of last season with Storm: Alexandre Jacques, Mark McMahon, Chad Wilchynski, Tim Verbeek, Jeff Mitchell, and Grady Moore, who is about to begin his first full season as a pro. There are five other rookies among the new faces on the squad, including the Nashville Predators' 1999 first round draft pick, goaltender, Brian Finley, defensemen, Miroslav Durak and Trevor Read, and forwards, Matt Ellis and Nick Parillo.

Toledo's newest affiliation relationship with the Nashville Predators has already had a significant impact on the Storm roster. In addition to Finley and Durak, forwards, Yevgeny Pavlov and Wes Mason, were recently assigned by the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville's American Hockey League affiliate, to the Storm. Other members of the Storm roster to attend the Admirals' training camp included defenseman, Brandon Fleenor and goaltender, Doug Teskey. For the eleventh time in the twelve year history of the Storm, the club has joined forces with the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. The Storm has benefited from that agreement, as well, recently receiving the services of Verbeek and Ellis from the Wings through their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Parillo also attended camp in Grand Rapids. Another feature of the Storm line-up this season is significant representation from players (and coaches) who have already won a hockey championship in some form or fashion. In addition to Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel, Claude Noel (who won two championships as a player and one as a coach) and Assistant Coach, Mark Bernard (who won two championships as a player), no fewer than seven Storm players have been part of a championship club at one time in their career. Those with rings include Mitchell (Saint John Flames, AHL, 2000-01), Mason (Orlando Solar Bears, International Hockey League, 2000-01), Mike Bayrack (Muskegon Fury, United Hockey League, 2001-02), Dale Junkin (Fresno Falcons, West Coast Hockey League, 2001-02), Dan Carney (Hampton Roads Admirals, ECHL, 1997-98), and Finley and Verbeek (Barrie Colts, Ontario Hockey League, 1999-00).

Built in 1859, the Oliver House is the oldest commercial building still standing in the city of Toledo. It is also the last of the hotels designed by the famous architect, Isaiah Rogers, to remain standing. The Oliver House is currently the home to three separate restaurants, ranging from fine dining (Rockwell's at the Oliver House), to a brew house with specialty beers and excellent food (Maumee Bay Brewing Co & Restaurant), to a sports bar that specializes in beer, food and fun (Mutz). The Oliver House also recently unveiled the latest addition to their line-up, Rockwell's Lounge, which is a fashionably decorated, upscale bar and meeting place on the ground floor of the historic building.

The Storm's Vice President and General Manager, Mike Miller, stated that he was excited to simultaneously unveil the 2002-03 team with the announcement of the renewal of the Oliver House partnership.

"There have been a number of changes within the Storm organization this season, and all of them have been geared towards putting together a championship quality organization both on and off the ice. Coach Noel and Assistant Coach Bernard appear to have done their part by building a club that we believe can compete at the elite level in the ECHL. At the same time, several important elements from last year have been continued-and even expanded, including the excellent relationship that we have with the Oliver House. Last season we felt that our coach's show was a great success down at Mutz, and we're looking forward to continuing this forum where our fans can interact with our players and coaches."

For his part, Jim Favorite, the General Manager of the Oliver House, echoed Miller's sentiment. "We're excited to be a part the Storm team again this season. We feel that we had a great situation with the team last year; and this year, we're expanding our relationship with our Sports Arena shuttle service that will take fans from our restaurants and bars over to the Storm game and back again. Once again, we look forward to a season of great food, great beer, and great hockey."

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