Matt Walker (ice hockey)

Last updated
Matt Walker
Mattwalker lightning2010.JPG
Walker with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010.
Born (1980-04-07) April 7, 1980 (age 45)
Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for St. Louis Blues
Chicago Blackhawks
Tampa Bay Lightning
Philadelphia Flyers
NHL draft 83rd overall, 1998
St. Louis Blues
Playing career 2000–2012

Matt Walker (born April 7, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). During his nine NHL seasons he played for the St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Philadelphia Flyers. He is the younger brother of former WHL player Darby Walker and cousin of former AHL goaltender Mike Walker,[ citation needed ] and Olympic bronze medallist curler Geoff Walker. [1]

Contents

Playing career

Walker was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 3rd round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, 83rd overall. He spent the first ten years of his professional career with both the Blues and their American Hockey League affiliates, the Worcester IceCats and the Peoria Rivermen. After having played 153 games in the league, he finally notched his first NHL goal on February 17, 2008, while the Blues were hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets.

On July 1, 2009, he signed a four-year, $6.8 million deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. [2] On July 19, 2010, Walker was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, along with a 4th-round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for forward Simon Gagné. [3]

Walker's three years in Philadelphia were marred by hip and back injuries, playing in only eight games with the Flyers and 44 games with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms. He missed the entire 2012–13 season due to a back injury.

Post retirement

In 2014, Walker moved to Nelson, British Columbia and bought the Nelson Brewing Company with his wife in 2016. [4] [5]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1997–98 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 64213151241600021
1998–99 Portland Winter HawksWHL641101115140116
1999–00 Portland Winter HawksWHL3827997—————
1999–00 Kootenay Ice WHL314192353215131824
2000–01 Peoria Rivermen ECHL 810170—————
2000–01 Worcester IceCats AHL 614812131110006
2001–02 Worcester IceCatsAHL492111316430008
2002–03 Worcester IceCatsAHL4018958—————
2002–03 St. Louis Blues NHL 1601138—————
2003–04 St. Louis BluesNHL140112540000
2003–04 Worcester IceCatsAHL40117—————
2004–05 Worcester IceCatsAHL2024644—————
2005–06 St. Louis BluesNHL5402279—————
2006–07 St. Louis BluesNHL4805572—————
2006–07 Peoria RivermenAHL20110—————
2007–08 St. Louis BluesNHL4311261—————
2008–09 Chicago Blackhawks NHL6511314791702214
2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL6623590—————
2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers NHL40004—————
2010–11 Adirondack Phantoms AHL110228—————
2011–12 Philadelphia FlyersNHL400016—————
2011–12 Adirondack PhantomsAHL3314541—————
NHL totals314426304642102214

References

  1. ↑ "Geoff WALKER". Beijing 2022 Olympics . Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Tampa Bay Lightning signs defensemen Mattias Ohlund and Matt Walker". tampabay.com. July 1, 2009. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
  3. ↑ Seravalli, Frank (July 19, 2010). "Flyers trade Gagne to Tampa Bay". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  4. ↑ Harper, Tyler (January 13, 2017). "Beer league rookie: Matt Walker's journey from the NHL to the NBC". nelsonstar.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  5. ↑ Born, Kyle (31 March 2017). "Transitioning from the NHL to award-winning brewery owner". kootenaybiz.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
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