Washington Capitals: Nathan Walker pushing to be NHL’s first Australian

Nathan Walker of the Washington Capitals is pushing to become the first NHL player from Australia. 

Hockey is growing into a global sport. It’s been a very slow and steady growth, but it’s impossible to ignore. The Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings will play two preseason games in China this year, marking the NHL’s first venture into Asia. Moreover, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey showed how strong each of the major countries are. But the most telling example of hockey’s growth resides with the Washington Capitals.

Forward Nathan Walker is looking to grab one of the vacant forward spots. After failing to win the Stanley Cup in 2016-17, the Capitals lost numerous key players, including Nate Schmidt, Karl Alzner, Kevin Shattenkirk, Marcus Johansson, Justin Williams and Daniel Winnik.

Walker is hoping to replace the last of the group as a fourth line forward. He’s had a long and twisted road to the NHL, and it’s been anything but straight. Walker technically has a dual citizenship with Australia and the United Kingdom. Born in Wales, he grew up in Australia, which allows him to carry both citizenships.

His journey began 2007-08, when Walker joined HC Vitkovice of the Czech Under-18 league. He played with them through the 2012-13 season, also playing for Viktovice’s under 20 team. During Walker’s time there, he impressed, but not enough to get drafted.

To increase his exposure and adjust to the North American game, he went to the Youngstown Panthers of the USHL. After putting up 27 points in 29 games, Walker drew the attention of the Hershey Bears and got an AHL contract. He put up 11 points in 43 games.

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The Washington Capitals liked what they saw enough to warrant drafting him in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft. Walker played just 34 games (28 with Hershey) in 2014-15 thanks to injuries.

In 2015-16, he got his first full season in North America. In 73 games, Walker posted 41 points. He was one of Hershey’s most reliable forwards, as head coach Troy Mann gave him penalty kill duties and he thrived with it. Walker also put up five points in 20 postseason games.

Again hampered by injuries, he missed 24 games in 2016-17. Still, Walker put up 23 points in 58 games despite playing in a more defensive role.

The Capitals have been monitoring him closely. Before breaking his hand in February of 2017, Walker was reportedly close to getting called up. Thanks to a relatively low cap hit of just $650,000, he stands a great chance of making the Capitals.

Walker might have ensured his spot in the lineup during the Washington Capitals’ first preseason game against the New Jersey Devils. Replacing Winnik on the penalty kill will be key for the Caps. Walker scored an excellent shorthanded goal and was one of the best forwards all game.

Capitals head coach Barry Trotz definitely noticed the impact Walker had on the game.

“[Walker] has an effect on the game. He may not be the most natural goal scorer, but he has [an] effect on pace of play, the zone play. He wears people out… there’s a lot of good things about Nathan that you like.”

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Should he make the Capitals out of training camp, Walker will become the first Australian skater in NHL history. He will have to overcome guys like Alex Chiasson and Devante Smith-Pelly, but he’s already overcome a lot worse.