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Alden Hirschfeld.

(MLive file)

Alden Hirschfeld, who collapsed on the bench with the Grand Rapids Griffins last season and underwent brain surgery just under seven months ago, has re-signed with the Toledo Walleye.

The Walleye, an ECHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings and the AHL's Griffins, announced Monday the 28-year-old from Sylvania, Ohio, had agreed to terms for the 2016-17 season.

Thanks to everyone for all the love and support! Excited for the upcoming season @ToledoWalleye #GoFish — Alden Hirschfeld (@AldenHirschfeld) October 4, 2016

"Alden is the ultimate competitor and leader," first-year Walleye coach Dan Watson told the Toledo Blade. "Going through what he has and fighting to return to the ice says everything about him. Both on and off the ice, he is a winner through and through."

Hirschfeld, a forward, collapsed on the bench in the middle of the Griffins game Jan. 8 at Van Andel Arena, He had been with the team just over a week after promoted from the Walleye where he had 14 goals and 26 points in 27 games.

The event was determined to have been caused by a seizure, and he underwent surgery March 14 to remove a malformation in his brain. The procedure was called a craniotomy, which included surgical removal of part of the skull to expose the brain.

Overall, Hirschfeld has appeared in 135 games with the Walleye for fifth on the team's all-time list. He has 34 goals and 65 assists. He played in 30 games over parts of three seasons with the Griffins, with two goals and three assists.

The Walleye opened training camp Monday at the Huntington Center arena in Toledo.

The Griffins opened camp Monday in Detroit, where they will remain until Friday when they arrive in Grand Rapids. Hirschfeld is not expected to be in camp with the Griffins.