On a veteran group that’s leading both the Central Division and ECHL standings as a whole—it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are numerous driving forces behind it all besides just the usual few names you’re used to seeing.

So, yes, while the Toledo Walleye often get praise for their scoring up front, you may have noticed that stalwart defenseman Randy Gazzola has quietly turned in another All-Star caliber season at the beautiful Huntington Center. 

But, what you may not know is the 28-year-old native of Thorold, Ontario, Canada has been balancing a busy home life with a still-promising hockey career.

Starting back when he was playing for the Fort Wayne Komets last season, priorities changed when he got the news—in a way that only a hockey player could – that his newborn daughter, Camila, would soon be entering the world.

“My wife got pregnant back in January, and I had actually left for Fort Wayne on January 27, and I found out on a bus going to Indiana to play against the Fuel,” Gazzola told FloHockey via cell phone.

“She sent me a picture of the pregnancy stick, and it was like, ‘Wow, OK.’ I wasn’t able to cross the border because of COVID to go back and see her at all during the year, so I came back home in July, and it was, ‘Oh, wow, you’ve changed a bit.’ ... It’s been kind of crazy to think that when I was in Fort Wayne, she was pregnant the whole time. Then, kind of fast forward to October, I was thinking about going back over to Europe, but we decided it makes more sense to be back in North America.”

Gazzola arranged to return to the Walleye, where he started his pro career in 2018-19 before heading overseas to play in Italy the following season. He praised head coach Dan Watson for being understanding of his desire to be a good father—Gazzola missed all of training camp but was eventually able to report early on this season.

“t’s been a crazy season. I came in on November 5th and was actually going back and forth—playing on the weekends, and then going back home and being with my wife and my kid. It’s been a bit of a change, but my wife has made it so much easier, just having her and the baby here, I’m happy with where I’m at right now,” he said.

"When I’m at home, I’m at home, and I’m present. When I’m at the rink, I’m present and I’m not thinking about other things. If anything, it’s all kind of helped me focus as a player and most importantly, as a dad.”

It’s been a delicate balance for Gazzola, but one he’s enjoyed, finding fun both at the arena and at home in maintaining both his personal and professional life. While it seems easy to put him near the top of the leaderboard in “good hockey dads,” it’s far easier to quantify what he’s done on the ice, where you certainly don’t have to scroll too far down the list to see what he’s accomplished. 

He entered the upcoming weekend slate of games tied for ninth among ECHL defensemen with 34 points, and has been an asset to a team that may just be the favorite to bring home the Kelly Cup this season. 

Matt Berry nets a power play goal, and the Walleye have the lead!

🍎: Gazzola, Hensick

Walleye 1, Cyclones 0 pic.twitter.com/Xz9u5leY47

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) March 6, 2022

“I’d say I’m more of a passer than a scorer, it’s always been like that throughout my career,” said Gazzola, who has already posted a North American-career-high nine goals.

“I’ve been getting fortunate, especially in overtime where there’s that much more room. I’m fortunate to play with good players who put you in the right position to score, and for me it’s all translated on the ice to the success I’ve had. With the team, when you get the right group of guys buying in, especially this year with having had (multiple) guys up to the American (Hockey) League now, we’ve found ways to win. That shows the character of the group and the quality of the guys we’ve brought in to compete for a championship.”

Of course, Gazzola was one of those players who got a taste of the AHL this season, getting his first career look at the top level of the minors during a two-game stay with the Grand Rapids Griffins. 

“It was a whirlwind, but for me it was always a goal just to play a game there. It was a great opportunity, and it was fun,” he said. 

“But, my priorities have changed now that I have a little one to worry about. Toledo has been really, really good to us.”

Likewise, Gazzola has been good to Toledo—he was on the Walleye team that went all the way to the Kelly Cup Final in 2019, and is hopeful that this team can follow a similar path.

“I definitely do see similarities in the teams,” said Gazzola, who won the Kelly Cup with the Komets last year.

“They’re different, obviously different rosters and different guys – the only one left from that team would be me, at least right now. But it’s just a culture thing you have in Toledo where they want to bring in guys that want to get better and want to be here… This team is definitely trending in the right direction.”