On Tuesday September 1st, the Toledo Walleye announced a pair of transactions, signing forward Keeghan Howdeshell and defensemen Ryker Killins. The two parties agreed to terms on standard player contracts for the upcoming season.
Hailing from nearby Brighton, Michigan, Howdshell had a stellar OHL career in which he spent playing in Sault Ste. Marie. During a two-year span, Howdeshell scored 113 points through 127 games. A ton of games for a player who spent two years in the OHL.
In his first year in the ECHL, Howdeshell scored 37 points through 47 games with the Rapid City Rush. He also skated in one game with the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL. At just 22-years-old, he’s a young forward with a ton of experience. Howdeshell plays a similar game to their latest signing in defensemen Brandon Hawkins. The new trio could easily become teammates.
Taking a look at Ryker Killins, the defensemen competed for four seasons in the NCAA with the Ferris State Bulldogs. There, he saw his best season offensively in 2017-18, his third year of collegiate. The Canadian recorded eight goals along with 14 assists for 22 points. He did so in 36 games played.
Killins made his ECHL debut in 2018-19 with the South Carolina Stingrays. He skated in 14 games where he recorded three goals along with six assists. This made for a total of nine points. With the Rush, Killins recorded five goals along with 16 assists for 21 points.
Killins adds a physical aspect to his game and he showed that in 47 games. Because of that, the native of Wawa registered a total of 55 penalty minutes. Like his previous signings, Walleye head coach Dan Waston followed a pattern in signing these players. He added a forward from the area, a player from the Bulldogs (a Toledo signing hotbed) and two players who can grind it out with tons of experience. In the end, it’s two very positive signings for the Walleye hockey club in a number of aspects.