Mikesch named Walleye head coach

The Toledo Walleye have named Pat Mikesch as the team's new head coach. Mikesch take over for Dan Watson, who was named head coach of Toledo's American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins last month.

Mikesch previously was head coach and general manager of the United States Hockey League's Green Bay Gamblers from 2014-22, compiling an overall record of 214-200-48. From 2011-14, he was Green Bay's assistant coach under the direction of head coach Derek Lalonde, who went on to serve as the Walleye's head coach from 2014-16, and is preparing for his second season as head coach with the Detroit Red Wings, Toledo's NHL affiliate. While at Green Bay, he coached and assisted in the development of nearly 30 players who were drafted by the NHL, including Casey Mittelstadt, Nick Schmaltz, Jordan Schmaltz, Andrew Peeke, Andy Welinski, Mason Lohrei, and Gustav Olofsson.

Prior to joining Green Bay, Mikesch was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Michigan Tech University, from 2004-11.

The 50-year-old had a nine-year professional playing career, which included two stints in the ECHL. He had five goals in four games with the Louisville RiverFrogs in 1995-96 and posted 60 points (23g-37a) in 45 games with the Florida Everblades in 1998-99. He also skated for Kentucky and New Havein in the AHL and Orlando in the International Hockey League, in addtion to seeing time in leagues in Germany.

During his collegiate career at Michigan Tech, Mikesch recorded 169 points (57g-112a) in 153 games from 1992-96.