Samuel Walker

June 2023 – Walker is a local Minnesota native who captained the University of Minnesota during his time in the NCAA. He had a very respectable NCAA career and followed that up with an incredible rookie professional season during the 2022-23 season. He was one of the top players for the Iowa Wild, posting 48 points in 56 games, which led him to get called up for nine NHL games where he posted two points. His strong performance also awarded him a role with the United States national team during the IIHF World Championships. Walker will have the opportunity to win a full-time role with the Minnesota Wild in 2023-24. Even if it doesn’t happen right away, he looks to be a sure-fire NHL player. Nathan Leblanc

January 2023 – Walker was initially drafted in the 7th round of the 2017 NHL draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning who didn’t end up getting signed to the Lightning. After strong performances as the captain of the University of Minnesota, the Wild signed the local star on a two-year entry-level contract starting during the 22-23 season. Walker has excelled in his first year of professional hockey, putting up 26 points in only 24 AHL games for the Iowa Wild, which led to him being called up for six games in the NHL and scoring one goal. Walker has already demonstrated that he will be a sure-fire professional player, but will have to continue to develop to ensure that he becomes a mainstay NHL player. The potential is there for Walker to become an energy forward in the bottom nine, however, he has a change to one day become a top 6 forward with the leadership and tools that he currently has after a couple of years of seasoning. Nathan Leblanc