Tyler Spezia remembers the Toledo Walleye’s first run to the Kelly Cup Finals like it was yesterday.

The speedy forward was a key component of a team that came tantalizingly close to claiming the franchise’s first championship.

In the 2019 ECHL playoffs, Spezia was a rising rookie winger fresh out of Bowling Green State University. Now the 31-year-old veteran is back for more.

“I’m excited,” said Spezia, who re-signed with the Walleye last week. “My last taste of meaningful playoff hockey was when we lost in 2018-19 to Newfoundland in the Kelly Cup Finals. So that was a big thing. I want to play meaningful games on a good team and compete for a championship. There’s no better place to do that than in Toledo.”

Spezia, a native of Clinton Township, Mich., had played the past four seasons for Toledo’s American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids after splitting time between the organizations in his first two years of pro hockey. He hopes the next stage of his career ends with an on-ice celebration.

“It’s not really any shocker that’s the focus from day one here,” Spezia said. “Although you do need a lot to go right to get yourself in that position — it definitely looks like we’ve got the team to do it.

“The last two years, it’s been in the back of my mind coming back here. Toledo was great to me, and I loved it there. When you’re not enjoying the game as much as you had in the past, you go back to when it was really fun. That’s the mindset. I want to enjoy it and be on a good team. It’s almost going back to your roots.”

Spezia has played in 79 games for the Walleye, 46th most all time. He has scored 21 goals (46th most) and has 38 assists (43rd) for 59 points (41st). The left winger/center has averaged 0.75 points per game in a Toledo uniform.

“What’s not to love?” Spezia said. “You know you’re going to play in front of a packed building. You’re going to get treated like a celebrity and be part of a first-class organization. There’s nothing but positives. Guys want to play there. It was a very easy decision.”