As an Aussie hockey fan, I've often wondered whether I'll ever see an Australian put on an NHL jersey. This kid is the closest thing to a legit NHL prospect I've seen.
Does he stand a chance of making the NHL? I know he's pretty small, but he plays with some grit.
He was voted Australia's best player (voted by coaches) at the 2011 Division II Championships (which Australia won, going 5-0), he was tied 3rd in the tournament in points and led in +/-.
He finished 18th in scoring in the Czech U20 league, but it seems like most players are 91s or 92 births, while he is a 94 birth. 20 + 20 in 35 games.
Obviously, how he plays this coming season will greatly affect his chances.
What do you guys think?
Last edited by Bad News Bears: 05-13-2011 at 12:05 PM.
Hes probably worth a late round pick based on marketing alone. The team would instantly get a few million more fans. Aussies love their sport.
Hes small though, which is a shame.
I'm positive Australia will get an NHL player eventually but I'm not sure if it'll be Walker to even get drafted. He keeps it up he should get drafted though, would he come to the CHL if drafted in the import draft?
I'm positive Australia will get an NHL player eventually but I'm not sure if it'll be Walker to even get drafted. He keeps it up he should get drafted though, would he come to the CHL if drafted in the import draft?
I've been trying to find more information about him, but I couldn't tell you about his thoughts on the CHL. I'm trying to find out more about him for a while now.
I think he should get to the draft. If he was Czech, he would be still one of the best players of his year of birth, which means he's likely worth a pick.
I have to say that his story so far is truly remarkable, if he some day makes the NHL it would basically be the kind of story that movies are made about.
I have to say that his story so far is truly remarkable, if he some day makes the NHL it would basically be the kind of story that movies are made about.
I'm really rooting for this kid. He put up 18pts (12g, 6a) in the Under 20's (at age 17), and has now put up 3 + 1 in 13 games for HC Vitkovice in the Extraliga. Hopefully he has a strong year, and an NHL team takes a chance on him at the draft.
Central Scouting released their preliminary rankings today. Walker is listed as the 6th best draft-eligible player in the Czech Republic. Good to see that he is at least on the radar of NHL scouts.
Central Scouting released their preliminary rankings today. Walker is listed as the 6th best draft-eligible player in the Czech Republic. Good to see that he is at least on the radar of NHL scouts.
Anyone know why he chose to go to the Czech Republic to find competative hockey.
Did he have the option of going to the US or Canada where he may have been more comfortable because of the language barrier and probably would've been in an at least equal if not better developement system?
Anyone know why he chose to go to the Czech Republic to find competative hockey.
Did he have the option of going to the US or Canada where he may have been more comfortable because of the language barrier and probably would've been in an at least equal if not better developement system?
It was because of his coach in Australia (Czech person working there), who gave him the opportunity.
I noticed that Vitkovice will be at the Spengler Cup this year. I would think Walker might be with the team there, so people in Canada should be able to watch him play when they play Canada. Game is at 1.00pm EST on Dec. 26 on TSN2. Then there could be more games with them depending on how Vitkovice does in the tournament.
Last edited by kaiser matias: 12-10-2011 at 01:30 PM.
Reason: TSN2
I noticed that Vitkovice will be at the Spengler Cup this year. I would think Walker might be with the team there, so people in Canada should be able to watch him play when they play Canada. Game is at 1.00pm EST on Dec. 26 on TSN2. Then there could be more games with them depending on how Vitkovice does in the tournament.
Walker scored the only goal for Vitkovice in a 7-1 drubbing against Canada. Got Vitkovice player of the game too.
Think they said Vitkovice is playing again on TSN tomorrow.
Walker scored the only goal for Vitkovice in a 7-1 drubbing against Canada. Got Vitkovice player of the game too.
Think they said Vitkovice is playing again on TSN tomorrow.
Yes, the loser of todays game was to be on the main TSN channel tomorrow against Davos. Good to see Walker score against Canada, that should mean something to somebody in regards to his future.
Any chance he plays for the Czechs at the international level ?
I don't know what the rules for international play are. He's played for Australia, but I guess if he lives in Czech and has a passport, he may be able to play for them.
Awesome that he scored, am looking forward to watching some more Spengler Cup games and getting a better look at him.
Does he count as Australian-trained? Wikipedia says he moved to the Czech republic when he was 13.
Since he has already played for the Australian senior national team in the World Championship, the answer to that question is yes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BLBarmada
Any chance he plays for the Czechs at the international level ?
See above.
He would have to stay in the Czech Republic for another 4 seasons and not play a single game for the Australian national team again in those 4 seasons if he wanted to do a nationality switch, and judging by his comments in the interviews posted in this thread, he is very much committed to Australia.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBlue11
Anyone know why he chose to go to the Czech Republic to find competative hockey.
Did he have the option of going to the US or Canada where he may have been more comfortable because of the language barrier and probably would've been in an at least equal if not better developement system?
It's a late answer, but him not playing in North America is likely the result of strict immigration/visa regulations in NA. I doubt they would be particularly interested in awarding a long-term visa to a 13-year-old kid.
Does he count as Australian-trained? Wikipedia says he moved to the Czech republic when he was 13.
Walker has just one citizenship AFAIK, so technically he doesn´t even need to have played one single game in Australia and could still play for Australia. He had played in Australia for a number of years before going to CZE though, so he is partly Australian-trained anyway.
