Matt Walker (ice hockey)

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, and Olympic bronze medallist curler Geoff Walker.[1]

Matt Walker
Walker with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010.
Born (1980-04-07) April 7, 1980
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

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 Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1997–98 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 64 2 13 15 124 16 0 0 0 21
1998–99 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 64 1 10 11 151 4 0 1 1 6
1999–00 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 38 2 7 9 97 — — — — —
1999–00 Kootenay Ice WHL 31 4 19 23 53 21 5 13 18 24
2000–01 Peoria Rivermen ECHL 8 1 0 1 70 — — — — —
2000–01 Worcester IceCats AHL 61 4 8 12 131 11 0 0 0 6
2001–02 Worcester IceCats AHL 49 2 11 13 164 3 0 0 0 8
2002–03 Worcester IceCats AHL 40 1 8 9 58 — — — — —
2002–03 St. Louis Blues NHL 16 0 1 1 38 — — — — —
2003–04 St. Louis Blues NHL 14 0 1 1 25 4 0 0 0 0
2003–04 Worcester IceCats AHL 4 0 1 1 7 — — — — —
2004–05 Worcester IceCats AHL 20 2 4 6 44 — — — — —
2005–06 St. Louis Blues NHL 54 0 2 2 79 — — — — —
2006–07 St. Louis Blues NHL 48 0 5 5 72 — — — — —
2006–07 Peoria Rivermen AHL 2 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2007–08 St. Louis Blues NHL 43 1 1 2 61 — — — — —
2008–09 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 65 1 13 14 79 17 0 2 2 14
2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 66 2 3 5 90 — — — — —
2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 4 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2010–11 Adirondack Phantoms AHL 11 0 2 2 8 — — — — —
2011–12 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 4 0 0 0 16 — — — — —
2011–12 Adirondack Phantoms AHL 33 1 4 5 41 — — — — —
NHL totals 314 4 26 30 464 21 0 2 2 14

References
  1. "Geoff WALKER". 2022 Winter Olympics. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  2. "Tampa Bay Lightning signs defensemen Mattias Ohlund and Matt Walker". tampabay.com. July 1, 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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