Goaltender Pat Nagle appreciates Red Wings connection, eyes future

Jul. 24—Longtime Toledo Walleye goaltender Pat Nagle has always had a special connection with the Detroit Red Wings and the organization's general manager, Steve Yzerman.

Nagle, the Walleye's all-time goaltending leader in wins (68) and appearances (106), grew up in Michigan and was an avid Red Wings fan.

Yzerman, the team's iconic captain, signed the young goalie out of Ferris State back in 2011 when Yzerman was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Years later, Nagle reunited with Yzerman when Yzerman came back to Detroit as the Red Wings' GM. Nagle, a 33-year-old free agent, spent the past four seasons playing for the Red Wings' affiliates in Grand Rapids and Toledo.

"I've always loved the Red Wings, and he is the hometown hero and the captain," Nagle said. "I have a ton of respect for him and what he's done on the ice and off the ice. He demands a lot. But he is honest and is a really nice guy. He just wants you to perform. We've crossed paths again here. The hockey world is a small world. You meet a lot of good people.

"I signed with the Tampa Lightning out of Ferris State and it's funny how it's kind of come full circle with him."

On the eve of the NHL draft, Yzerman traded for young goalie Alex Nedeljkovic as part of a promising rebuilding effort in Detroit that some have dubbed "the Yzerplan."

"He's made a lot of moves lately and I hope they can build on that and continue to improve," Nagle said.

After competing for one season for Tampa Bay's ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades, Nagle has played for five AHL teams and four ECHL teams in an 11-year career.

It remains to be seen whether Nagle will remain a part of the Red Wings' plans in their minor league system.

Nagle signed one-year contracts with the Griffins in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The veteran has played in 33 games for Grand Rapids the past three seasons.

He said it's "always a possibility" that he could re-sign with Grand Rapids.

"You never know what they are going to do, if they are going to try to go younger or bring in more guys from Europe," he said. "It also depends on who [the Red Wings] draft and if they make more moves. I've had a great relationship with them over the last four years but nothing lasts forever. So we'll see."

The Red Wings' system is stocked with a plethora of young goalies including two, Kaden Fulcher and Filip Larsson, who also have spent time in Toledo.

Grand Rapids coach Ben Simon spoke highly of Nagle, who finished 13th in the AHL with a 2.78 goals-against average last season. Nagle went 6-6-0 with a .892 save percentage during the coronavirus-shortened season. Simon told MLive.com that Nagle had done a great job for his team.

"You talk about perseverance and dedication and just a belief in yourself and he's done a great job with that self-belief and the identity that he's not going to be denied," Simon said. "He works hard and he's a pro. He's been in this game for a long time and he's paid his dues."

Nagle said he is patiently waiting to make the next step.

"I do not know where I'll be playing," he said. "The NHL draft is this weekend and free agency starts next week, so I start getting an idea whether there might be some openings for someone like me."

When asked if a return to the Walleye remains a possibility, Nagle said it could happen.

"I think that would always be in the cards," he said. "I really enjoyed my time there and I've built some really good relationships with management and the staff."

Nagle, who has played in three seasons in Toledo (2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20), is the franchise's all-time leader in saves (2,867) and minutes played (6,228). He said he still communicates with Toledo coach Dan Watson.

"Watty and I still stay in touch. So I think it would be a possibility. Obviously, if that worked out, it would be awesome," Nagle said.

In 2018-19, Nagle guided the Walleye to the franchise's first appearance in the Kelly Cup Finals. Nagle started in every postseason game. He ranked second in the ECHL in both postseason wins (14) and goals-against average (2.03) and fourth in save percentage (.931) in 24 appearances.

In his last season with the Walleye in 2019-20, Nagle posted a 9-4-1 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. Nagle was called up to Grand Rapids that season and played in 20 games with the Griffins. He posted a solid .920 save percentage.

"He finally found some traction in the (AHL) last year," Simon said.

This last season, Nagle split time with Fulcher and two other netminders in Grand Rapids, Kevin Boyle and Calvin Pickard. The Griffins played a shortened 32-game season that began in early February and ended on May 15.

The Griffins' finished in third in the AHL Central Division. Six of the team's games were postponed and subsequently rescheduled due to coronavirus protocols.

Nagle said his season had some ups and downs.

"The hardest thing is that we had four goalies at times. So if you had a good game and wanted to build off it, you might not see the net for a while. The hardest part was getting in a rhythm," he said.

Nagle said it was difficult for him to see the Walleye forced to sit out last season due to the pandemic.

"You feel bad for the guys that didn't get to play last year and their teams and their fan bases," Nagle said. "It was a tough year. There were a lot of things behind the scenes that went into it to make that season occur. There was a daily grind being tested every morning and things you had to worry about. We missed out on hanging out with teammates and going to the movies or dinner. But it was just nice to be able to play hockey.

"There were a lot of unknowns and you just had to learn to live to roll with the punches. Hopefully, we're on our way to getting back to normal."

Nagle, who is in New Jersey this week helping out with a USA Hockey youth camp, said he loves to give back to the game.

"The game is evolving and it's really exciting to see how talented these young kids are," Nagle said.

Nagle said spending time with his wife and their son Bryson (1) and daughter Sloan (four months) is paramount.

"I want to build off of the [2019-20 season]. Last year was such a different year, you don't really want to close the book on your career on that note," he said. "But if that's the way it works out, that's the way it goes and I've had [11] years of professional hockey and I'm fortunate to be able to say that."

Nagle said he will get together with his family and agent to determine the best course of action.

"We'll see if the best option is to stay in North America or if the best option to go to Europe or if it's best just to call it," he said. "We'll see what happens in the next month. It's another summer of being a free agent."

Nagle said he keeps tabs on the Walleye and is well aware that the team is holding another Winterfest event — which includes two outdoor ECHL games at Fifth Third Field and an alumni game — this season.

"It was pretty funny. I actually got an alumni email the other week about the Winterfest and I was like, 'Hey guys, I'm not that old yet. Come on,'" Nagle said, chuckling. "But it's funny how that works sometimes. There are a lot of fun things coming up in Toledo and it's always a competitive team and a great fan base. I'm always open to what door may open next."