The Toledo Walleye announced on Tuesday that forward Johnny Waldron and winger Mitch Lewandowski have each signed new agreements, ensuring their presence on the roster for the 2026‑27 campaign.
A brief look at their backgrounds
Waldron, 27, returns after a season in which he recorded 16 points and 18 penalty minutes across 30 games, while also logging stints at Miami (OH) and Arizona State where he amassed 56 points in 93 appearances and 8 points in 21 games respectively.
Prior to college, he contributed 60 points in 110 games for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL, highlighting a junior career that blended offense with a willingness to take on a physical role.
Lewandowski, also 27, re‑joins the organization after a mid‑season stint with Swedish club Södertälje SK, where he posted three points in 11 games during the 2025‑26 campaign.
His North American résumé includes 24 AHL games spread over three seasons with Tucson, Cleveland and Milwaukee, totaling six points, and a five‑year tenure at Michigan State in which he recorded 120 points in 156 games and served as an alternate captain during his final two seasons.
Before turning professional, he accumulated 52 points in 106 USHL games while skating for Chicago and Des Moines, a foundation that helped shape his development.
What the signings mean for the Walleye
The club’s management sees the pair as key pieces to stabilize a forward group that struggled for consistency last season, offering a blend of scoring touch, gritty forechecking and veteran poise.
Both players are expected to contribute on the power play and in penalty‑kill situations, while their familiarity with the organization’s culture should help maintain chemistry as the team looks to climb back into playoff contention.