Walleye sign Hillebrand, McCourt

TOLEDO, Ohio – Forward Chad Hillebrand and defenseman Riley McCourt have agreed to terms with the Toledo Walleye for the 2025-26 season.

Hillebrand, of Skokie, Illinois, spent time in both the American Hockey League and ECHL last season. He tallied four points (2g-2a) and 34 penalty minutes in 21 AHL games with Colorado and added four points (1g-3a)in nine games with the Utah Grizzlies.

He has tallied four points (2g-2a) in 23 AHL games over two seasons with Colorado. Prior to turning pro, Hillebrand played four seasons at Western Michigan University, accumulating 52 points (17g-35a) in 109 games. He also posted 23 points (13g-10a) in 42 games with Green Bay of the United States Hockey League in 2019-20.

McCourt, the native of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, returns to Toledo after spending the 2024-25 season across the Atlantic with the Augsburger Panther of the DEL. The 25-year-old tallied 22 points (4g-18a) in 50 games during the 2024-25 season. McCourt returns to the Walleye as the record holder for assists in a single season by a defenseman, racking up 44 during the 2023-24 season. He has totaled 78 points (14g-64a) in 107 games with Toledo.

McCourt has accumulated 137 points (31g-106a) in 234 professional games between the ECHL, AHL and DEL. Most of his pro action has come in the ECHL, totaling 113 points (26g-87a) over 173 games split between Toledo, Newfoundland and Wichita.

Prior to turning pro, McCourt played four Ontario Hockey League seasons and two collegiate seasons. In his four OHL seasons, he racked up 117 points (30g-87a) over 175 games with Flint and Hamilton. He played two collegiate seasons at Ridley College, collecting nine points (1g-8a) in 11 games.