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Nathan Walker participates in first practice with Oilers, new head coach calls him a ‘hungry player’

By Ian Oland

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December 4, 2017 4:40 pm

After arriving in Calgary over the weekend to meet his new team, former Capital Nathan Walker suited up for his first practice with his new team Monday. Walker was claimed by the Edmonton Oilers on Friday after the Capitals tried to sneak the Australian forward through waivers.

“Today wasn’t an easy practice and he handled himself well,” Oilers coach Todd McLellan said. “He looks like a hungry player.”

Walker seemed happy and excited about his new opportunity after only getting an opportunity to play in seven of the Capitals first 27 games this season.

“Hopefully I can come in and try to provide a spark for the guys here and get some points going,” Walker said.

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What’s your best asset?

Nathan Walker: “I think my skating and my energy. Hopefully I can come in and try to provide a spark for the guys here and get some points going.”

What have these whirlwind few days been like?

Nathan Walker: “It’s been good. I flew into Calgary the other day for the game. It was good to meet the guys. It’s always tough coming to a new team. You’re not so familiar with everything. The guys here are great. They’ve made me feel really welcome.”

Do you have a position preference?

Nathan Walker: “Any forward slot really. I think at the NHL level the wing is a little easier. But yeah, any forward spot.”

How did you get into hockey?

Nathan Walker: “My older brother played, and as a younger brother you just want to copy him and try to beat him at whatever he’s doing. We had some good battles. We both got involved in hockey at the same time. ”

What was it like playing hockey as a young boy in Australia?

Nathan Walker: “Yeah, I remember in school, a couple of teachers telling me hockey was never going to be a thing for me. It’s definitely a different sport back at home. Obviously you have the stereotypical rugby and soccer, but yeah, it was definitely different play hockey.”

What was it like to move to the Czech Republic as such a young man?

Nathan Walker: “It was definitely tough. The culture shock was huge. I didn’t speak the language. I didn’t know anyone there. Everyone there helped me out whether it was with the language or something like catching the tram for practice. Everyone there was really great and they helped me out.”

Did you have a billet family there?

Nathan Walker: “My first year, yeah. My billet family didn’t speak any English and I didn’t speak any Czech so there was a lot of Google translate and a lot of hand signals.”

What is the support like back home in Australia?

Nathan Walker: “It’s awesome. The hockey community isn’t big back home to say the least, but it’s definitely a very proud community. They’re always sending me messages and wishing me well on my travels and everything. It’s a really, really proud community back home.”

How did your parents respond to you wanting to leave home at such a young age to play hockey?

Nathan Walker: “I wanted to leave back home when I was 11, but I think my parents thought I was a little too young to go to a country where I didn’t speak the language and didn’t know anyone. But yeah, I would have kept hounding them for sure.”

Do you think you’ve had a big impact with hockey in Australia?

Nathan Walker: “I like to think so. I don’t know any numbers, if it’s increased anything with people playing. I think they’re definitely putting a few more games on TV, which is good. The games back home are starting to sell out a bit more and a little more fans going to games.”