Versatile forward-defenceman Jack Walker goes into tonight’s Western Hockey League game in Kamloops as a hybrid-type player who Victoria Royals coach Dave Lowry can use in any number of ways.
If there is one thing about the Walker clan, it’s that they will do whatever it takes in this business. Brother Ben Walker graduated undrafted last spring after three seasons with the Royals but has managed to stick in the American Hockey League as a rookie-pro two-way forward with the St. John’s IceCaps, appearing in 26 games with one goal and one assist in the highest level of minor-pro hockey.
Meanwhile, NHL-drafted Royals graduates Steven Hodges and Logan Nelson have spent considerable time in their rookie-pro seasons in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones and Quad City Mallards, respectively.
The Walker tenacity is understated but quietly ferocious. And Jack has learned well from big brother, first in playing two seasons with him in Victoria and now by watching him as a pro.
“It’s Ben’s work ethic that has [kept him in the AHL]. He just outworks everybody,” said Jack Walker.
“Ben has bought into the pro mindset. Every day you are under the radar and every day you have to go out and work hard.”
The siblings, each from their bookend islands in a huge country, keep in touch by phone a couple of times a week. Jack has the last laugh on one matter.
“Benny is deep in snow and I keep reminding him about the weather in Victoria,” said Jack with a laugh.
The brothers are from Edina, Minnesota, and more than used to snow. But both turned their backs on the U.S. collegiate NCAA hockey route for which their home state is well known within the sport. The Walkers believed major-junior is the fastest route to the pros. One is there and the other continues his journey tonight when the Royals take on the host Blazers.
“It’s about going out and getting better each day,” said Jack Walker, the undrafted third-year Royal, who has 16 goals and 46 points in 59 games this season.
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Walker and his Royals (33-24-4), comfortably ensconced in second place in the B.C. Division, meet a desperate Kamloops team (22-33-6) that is last in both the B.C. Division and Western Conference and five points adrift of a playoff position. Don Hay’s Blazers come into tonight having lost their last four games.
The Royals, meanwhile, were beaten 4-2 on Wednesday night in Kelowna by the league-leading Rockets.
“We’ll get our stuff together for Kamloops,” said Victoria head coach Lowry. “We’ve been a good team after a loss, so I’m not concerned about the way our guys will play in Kamloops.”
The Royals return to Blanshard Street for a set Monday and Tuesday against the Seattle Thunderbirds and projected 2015 top-10 NHL draft pick Mathew Barzal.
