Nathan Walker, a 19-year-old Australian hoping to become the first National Hockey League player from his homeland, signed a one-season deal Tuesday with the Washington Capitals’ top development club.
Hershey Bears general manager Doug Yingst said that Walker was set to join the American Hockey League (AHL) club for training camp in the US Chocolatetown, about a two-hour drive north of Washington.
The teen left wing from Sydney played six seasons in the Czech Republic and spent the last part of last season in the US Hockey League, a junior development circuit, scoring seven goals and setting up 20 others for the Youngstown (Ohio) Phantoms.
Walker made a strong impression upon the Capitals at their recent pre-season training camp and playing in the team’s first pre-season game against Winnipeg on September 14, but he was not eligible to ink an NHL deal because he is under 20 and began last season in Europe.
Walker had four goals with six assists in 54 games with Vitkovice in the top Czech pro league from 2011-2013 and developed his game throughout his time in Europe.
Should he not return to Europe this season, Walker would be eligible to be taken in next June’s NHL Draft.
The Bears are the oldest minor-league ice hockey team in North America, joining the AHL in 1938. They have won the Calder Cup, the 30-team league’s championship trophy, a record 11 times, most recently in 2010.
Australian NHL hopeful signs with Capitals top farm team
