Joey Martin signs PTO with Texas Stars
Written by Vincent D. Scebbi | | vscebbi@toledofreepress.comToledo Walleye standout forward Joey Martin was sent to the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars on Jan. 16.
The 24-year-old from Thorold, Ontario, signed a professional tryout contract (PTO) with Texas and will skate with the team as they will be playing in Illinois over the next five days.
Walleye head coach Nick Vitucci said the Stars were looking for someone to fill their roster that has been suffering due to injuries.
“It’s an opportunity, it might only be one or two or three games but if Joey takes advantage of this opportunity, who knows what will come of it,” Vitucci said. “We wish him nothing but the best of luck and hopefully he has a good experience.”
Martin, who led the team in points last year with 49 points (22 goals, 27 assists), scored six goals and picked up 13 assists this season.
He missed part of the year due to an injury suffered in October.
The Stars play against the Chicago Wolves tonight and Jan. 18 before facing the Peoria Rivermen on Jan. 19. Texas then faces the Rockford IceHogs, an affiliate of the Walleye, on Jan. 21.
While Martin is on his way out, the Walleye picked up defenseman Ben Woodley. The 6-6, 230 pound native of London, Ontario, skated in 59 games last season with the Prince George Spruce Kings and had five goals and 42 assists.
This is the second Walleye player in the past four days who signed a professional tryout contract with an AHL team.
Defenseman and alternate captain Wes O’Neill joined the Providence Bruins on Jan. 12. In two games with the Bruins, O’Neill has already scored a goal and is a +1 on the ice.
O’Neill, a Windsor native and Notre Dame alum, had 10 goals and 10 assists in the 37 games he skated with Toledo.
Vitucci said should Martin or O’Neill be removed from the roster, they would return to the Walleye.
Toledo will be travelling to the Hoosier State this weekend, visiting the Fort Wayne Komets on Jan. 18 and then at the Evansville IceMen on Jan. 19.
Friday’s opening faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
Tags: Toledo Walleye
