The Detroit Red Wings are having success throughout the organization

Toledo Walleye

The Walleye, at the bottom of the Red Wings totem pole, have done a tremendous job in being the more successful of the three teams over the past few seasons.

Toledo continues their winning ways this season, posting a 36-14-4 record for 81 points, placing them in first place in the Central Division. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games and have outscored their opponents 243-187 this season.

The attendance has been helpful in the success of the Walleye as they are third in total attendance, with an average of 7,097 fans per game and a total of 253,020 fans this season at home.

Toledo has a .610 winning percentage and has played as a unit the entire season. First-year head coach Mikesch has come in and put things into perspective with his knowledge and techniques that have made him successful. He has done an excellent job in replacing Watson and keeping the winning tradition alive in Toledo.

Toledo has had players in the past who have had their start in Toledo and grown more in Grand Rapids.

Players like Cossa, John Lethemon, Trenton Bliss, Willie Coetzee, Martin Frk, Luke Glendening, and Jordan Pearce have played their way through the Walleye roster to only achieve great success in Grand Rapids.

Most players who have made their pro debuts in Toledo have attended development camp with the Red Wings.

Walleye forward Brandon Hawkins leads the league in scoring with 36 goals and 44 assists for 80 points in 60 games.

Red Wings goaltending prospect Jan Bednar has a record of 15-7-2 with a GAA of 2.81 and a save percentage of .894 with three shutouts, while Lethemon has been solid between the pipes with a record of 22-7-2, a 3.09 GAA, and a .886 save percentage. Both netminders have played well and could be in Grand Rapids next season.

The connection Detroit has had with Grand Rapids and Toledo has been exceptional. It is not rare for an NHL team and their AHL affiliation to be good at the same time.

However, it does not happen that often when an ECHL affiliate of that team is excelling at the same time. This organization is due for a championship at any level. It is a matter of which of these teams will get there first.