Veterans Berschbach, Bonis return to Walleye pond

Toledo Walleye coach Dan Watson announced during a Facebook event that veterans Shane Berschbach and Kyle Bonis have agreed to terms for the 2020-21 season. 
The 'dynamic duo' return to the pond with a combined 563 points over six seasons.
Berschbach, who holds the Walleye record at 376 for the most games played during the regular season, tallied 20 goals with 43 assists in 56 games last season. The 28-year-old also posted his first career hat trick against the Cincinnati Cyclones during 2019-20 (Dec. 29).
"Shane has been a mainstay for us on and off the ice.  We know exactly what we are getting on a daily basis.  His production hasn't slowed down, he continues to make players around him better and he knows what it takes to win.  We are thrilled to have him return for the 20-21 season," Watson said.
In addition to representing the Walleye more times than any other player, Berschbach is the club's regular season career leader with 277 assists and 393 points, while tallying the most goals with 116. Berschbach also ranks among the franchise's top performers in the postseason with 55 games played (tied for first), 14 goals (third), 38 assists (first) and 52 points (first).
Bonis enters his sixth season with Toledo.  The Lindsay, Ontario native, is currently third among Walleye players for most goals with 95; Shane Berschbach (116) and Evan Rankin (111) currently sit atop the leader board.  In the 32 games he played for the Fish in 2019-20, the 5-foot-11 and 185-pound forward earned 24 points with 12 goals and 12 assists.  
"We are excited to have Kyle back for the 20-21 season, said Watson.  "He is a vet who exemplifies what a Walleye player should be; high character, willing to get better and a team first mentality.  He will provide great leadership on and off the ice for us once again."
Bonis returned to Toledo halfway through last season after playing overseas for a year and a half. He appeared in 27 games for HKM Zvolen in Slovakia (2019-20), with 17 goals and six assists. Bonis skated in 48 games in Norway for Frisk Asker (2018-19) that saw him score 25 goals with 24 assists.
In his career, Bonis has also skated in 101 career AHL games with 15 goals and 9 assists, including appearing in an AHL best 52 games for the Rochester Americans with 10 goals and 2 assists in 2016-2017.
Toledo has added two more forwards with Brett Boeing and Luke Sandler agreeing to terms with the Walleye for the 2020-21 season. Also joining the team is defenseman Kevin Spinozzi.
Boeing played in 40 games during his rookie season with Toledo racking up nine goals, 11 assists while playing as a plus-11.
         Watson says he adds a lot to the front line because of his versatility.
        "He can play multiple forward positions and that is a bonus.  Brett had a very good rookie season.  He creates energy with the way he plays and also contributed secondary scoring when needed.  We're excited to continue Brett's development this season." 
Prior to turning pro, the 5-foot-8, 187-pound forward, completed his college career at UMass-Amherst.  His efforts helped the Minutemen to the Hockey East Regular Season Championships.
Luke Sandler joins the Walleye after playing the past two seasons with the Kalamazoo Wings, recording 37 points (20G, 17A) in 109 games, while adding 231 penalty minutes.
"We have seen Luke become a good power forward in our league with Kalamazoo the past couple seasons, said Watson.  "He's a player who can play up and down your lineup, while providing energy and physicality.  We look forward to seeing him compete in a Walleye uniform.”
The sixth-year pro spent the entire 2017-18 season with the Gladiators, recording 22 points (10G, 12A) in 65 games, while adding 190 penalty minutes. 
        The 24-year-old Spinozzi returns to the pond after playing 34 games with Toledo during the 2019-20 season earning 11 points (4G, 7A) and racking up 23 penalty minutes.  He started last season in Austria and had eight points (2G, 6A) over 25 contests.
        “Kevin showed that he can be a very good two-way defensemen for us last year,” said Dan Watson, Toledo Walleye head coach. “He has the ability to make plays under pressure, create offense with his shot and defend efficiently with his size and skating ability.  We look forward to working with Kevin again in 2020-21.”
        The native of Granby, Quebec, skated in 44 games with the Wheeling Nailers (2018-19) picking up nearly a point per game with 38 points (17G, 21A) and also played in the ECHL All-Star Game held in Toledo at the Huntington Center. 
        The 6-foot-2 and 204-pound defenseman turned pro prior to 2017-18 season skating in 21 games over two years in the AHL with Scranton Wilkes-Barre, collecting a pair of assists and eight penalty minutes. He also skated in 12 games for the Nailers in 2017-2018, with two goals and three assists.