After two seasons with the Toledo Walleye, defenseman Riley McCourt is heading to Germany for the 2024-25 season.
After two seasons with the Toledo Walleye, defenseman Riley McCourt is heading to Germany for the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old has signed with Augsburger Panther of the DEL (Deutsche Eishockey Liga), becoming the latest member of the Walleye to sign overseas.
McCourt played an integral role for Toledo this past season. Among ECHL defensemen, he finished with the fifth-most assists (44), the sixth-most points (52) and the fifth-best plus/minus (+27) during the regular season. McCourt added a goal and six assists for seven points in 14 postseason games.
After originally signing with the Walleye in December 2022, McCourt enjoyed his first year in Toledo, recording 26 points on six goals and 20 assists. He also saw three games with the AHL's Colorado Eagles, where he recorded one goal and a +2 plus/minus rating.
Prior to his time in Toledo, McCourt spent a season with the Newfoundland Growlers. There, he scored 12 goals and 33 points in 53 regular season games and added two assists in six playoff games.
He originally signed with the AHL's Toronto Marlies in October 2020 after spending part of five seasons in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League). During the 2020-21 season, McCourt played eight games at the AHL level. He was also loaned to the ECHL's Wichita Thunder for 13 games, where he collected two assists in his first exposure to the league.
McCourt joins Riley Sawchuk, John Lethemon, Jason Willms, and Brady Gilmour as Toledo Walleye, who are confirmed signings overseas for next season.