Zech agrees to terms with Walleye

TOLEDO, Ohio – Defenseman Cooper Zech has agreed to terms with the Toledo Walleye for the 2026-27 season.

Zech, hailing from South Lyon, Michigan, has spent the last two seasons with the Elite Ice Hockey League’s Nottingham Panthers. Last season, he posted 21 points (4g-17a), 22 penalty minutes and a +15 in 51 games. Over his two seasons with the Panthers, he totaled 46 points (11g-35a), 28 penalty minutes and a +26 in 83 games.

Prior to his two seasons in Nottingham, he played for HC Kosice in Slovakia during 2023-24, recording 18 points (3g-15a) in 32 games. Zech has spent most of his American pro career in the American Hockey League with Providence, Lehigh Valley and Rockford over five seasons, accumulating 38 points (5g-33a) and 44 penalty minutes in 144 games over that time. He split nine ECHL games between Indy and Jacksonville in 2022-23, notching ten points (5g-5a). He also appeared in 15 games with HK Nitra in Slovakia during 2020-21, adding another ten points (2g-8a) and six penalty minutes to his ledger.

Prior to turning pro with Providence in 2018-19, he played one collegiate season at Ferris State University, tallying 28 points (8g-20a) and 12 penalty minutes in 36 games.