When Nathan Walker started playing inline hockey on roller skates, little did he know where the sport would take him.
Walker, 23, who grew up in Cronulla, became the first Australian to play in the NHL this month, scoring on debut for the Washington Capitals during their first home game of the season.
Walker’s family, who still live in the shire, made the trip to Washington DC for his debut and have been on cloud nine during the visit.
“We were humming and harring about going for some time. But we wanted to be there in case he did play,” mum Ceri Walker told the Leader.
“It was a very emotional night [when he debuted]. Not only was he the first Australian to play but he scored as well. We were absolutely delighted and ecstatic.”
Walker helped his side win that match 6-1 against Montreal Canadiens, scoring his team’s final goal of the game when a team mate’s shot ricocheted off Walker and into the net.
His family including his fiance from Cronulla, Tayla, were in the crowd waving the Australian flag.
He has only played in one more match so far this season with limited minutes.
His mum said he started out playing inline hockey at age 6 and he had taken up ice hockey from there, often travelling to the ice rink in Blacktown. “He took to it like a duck to water.”
Walker moved to the Czech Republic at age 13 to pursue ice hockey.
“He stayed with a billet family, having to learn the language while teaching his billet family English.”
He moved to the United States in 2013 joining the Youngstown Phantoms before shifting to the Hershey Bears – a feeder side for the Washington Capitals.
He has since turned plenty of heads at the Capitals including during a strong pre-season this year, earning a spot on the Capitals’ roster.
It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Walker who has shot to fame in Australia following his debut. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull even called him and congratulated him on playing in the NHL.
“It’s been mind blowing to be honest, it’s been crazy. It’s definitely been a dream come true,” Walker said, on the Washington Capitals website.
“I’m just glad I was able to take everything in and just enjoy it. For my family to make the trip out here and watch me was huge, it was definitely the cherry on top.”
Walker was born in Wales but moved to Australia aged 2.
