February 20, 2008

• Official Web site : ToledoWalleye.com
• Merchandise available : Shirts and hats
• Toledo Blade : Mud Hens snag catchy 'Walleye' as moniker for hockey franchise
• ECHL.com : ECHL Welcomes Toledo Walleye
• ToledoWalleye.com : New Arena Hockey Team to Be Called the 'Toledo Walleye'

LucasCountyArena.com

Toledo Blade story

The Toledo Walleye colors are gold and three shades of blue, which will be incorporated in the many primary and secondary Walleye logos. "The Walleye is something we can develop a story around," Mr. Napoli said. "On an annual basis, 50,000 people come to fish for walleye in the Maumee River and Lake Erie. The logo looks good on apparel, it's dissimilar from other sports teams, and you can spell it."

Hockey is scheduled to return to Toledo in the fall of 2009.

Mr. Napoli said he could unveil the football team's name and logo in the next six months, and the name will likely be chosen from the lists used for the hockey team. He said that, like the Walleye, the football team's name will draw initial support from some and opposition from others. "I've yet to see a sports franchise unveil a new team name or logo without some controversy," Mr. Napoli said. "We're prepared for that."

Mr. Napoli said another reason Toledo Arena Sports went away from "Woodpeckers" was a different franchise's move to incorporate the woodpecker into its own logo. The Williamsport Crosscutters, a minor-league baseball team in Williamsport, Penn., recently announced the woodpecker would be a part of its new marketing scheme.

ECHL.com posting

ToledoWalleye.com news

Nickname selection process

From the Feb 20, 2008 ToledoWalleye news release :

• Will appeal to all age groups (men, women & children)
• Unique name – one of a kind
• There is a historical connection between the name and the region
• Logos can be easily embroidered and screen-printed for merchandise
• Not already trademarked or registered with the federal government
• Can be easily spelled and understood when spoken
• Name should include city name (Toledo) for regional and national identification
• Mascot names and characters can be developed from name
• Team colors are different from regional professional and major collegiate teams

Round Goby

All opposing hockey teams that visit Toledo should be called the Gobies in reference to the small, goofy-looking invasive fish named the Round Goby that now inhabits Lake Erie and is sometimes consumed by walleye.

Walleye teeth

When fishing, you can't 'lip' a walleye like you can a bass. Well, you could, but it might sting a little. Walleye have a scattered set of teeth like a hockey player.

Larger image

Walleye spawning run

The walleye spawning run up the Maumee River begins in a few weeks and features exciting and sometimes hassle-filled shoulder-to-shoulder fishing. Monitor river conditions and fish activity at the Maumee Tackle Web site.

Walleye Fun Facks

Listed at ToledoWalley.com :

• As spring approaches, and the Great Lakes begin to thaw, warming waters send the signal to tens of thousands of walleye to start their annual migration to where their life began, The Maumee River.

• During Spring Run time on the Maumee River, up to 50,000 people or more will arrive to participate in a seasonal ritual unparalleled on the Great Lakes.

• The Maumee River offers the largest population of migrating walleye east of the Mississippi River.

• Between late March and mid-April, the Maumee River swells from melting snow and rain, opening the way for a half-million walleye to swim upriver to spread their eggs among the protective gravel and cobblestone just below the Fallen Timbers Rapids.

• Anglers will begin to wade in the river in late February or early March depending on river conditions.

• Spawn usually takes place around the second week of April.

• Pre-spawn and during spawn is a good time to get a trophy fish (10-14 lbs).

• Post-spawn takes place usually the third week of April thru May and into June. This time of the run is when fish are hungry (after spawn).

• Most of the fish will be males (jacks) because once spawn is over, the vast majority of females go back to the lakes they came from. Males will stay behind in the river and feed for weeks before going back to the lakes.

Walleye photo

Wikipedia article for walleye ( no wikipedia article exists yet for the hockey team Toledo Walleye By mid-day, a Toledo Walleye Wikipedia article now exists.)

Walleyes are sometimes called Marble Eyes or Glass Eyes.

Walleye Capital

Port Clinton is nicknamed the 'Walleye Capital of the World' although other cities claim the same title. But Port Clinton also features the annual Walleye Drop on New Year's Eve, which can be read at WalleyeMadness.com.

Wacky Walleye

Remember several years ago when big frog sculptures dotted Toledo? Back in 2003, Maumee Council for the Arts did something similar except their creations were the Wacky Walleye.

What about frogs?

In addition to being called the Glass City, Toledo is sometimes nicknamed Frog Town because of Toledo's proximity to what was the Great Black Swamp. Seems like a sports team should incorporate some kind of frog as its mascot. In 2008 at the Toledo Zoo, it's the Year of the Frog with the first event called 'Leap Day' occurring on February 29.