Sam Walther’s journey from playing street hockey with the sons of Capitals’ players to Division III hockey, and finally to a professional women’s league is an inspiring story with many connections to the current Stanley Cup Champions.

This season, Walther will be in goal for the Connecticut Whale of the NWHL. She’s worn #37 for most of her playing career, in honor of Olie Kolzig, but now she has a new number: #70.

Braden Holtby has been a role model for Walther both on and off the ice. Recently, she bought a Holtby T-shirt. She then tweeted Holtby, asking what it would take for him to buy a #70 Walther one.

Sam’s story:

I grew up in Annapolis and Ken Klee actually moved in a few houses down when he played for the Caps. His son Garrett was my age and we played street hockey just about every night after school until Ken finally convinced my parents to get me on the ice! I’ve been a die hard caps fan ever since. I would go to birthday parties for Garret and [Peter] Bondra, [Steve] Konalwalchuk, and other big names would always be there. I actually played with a lot of sons of Caps players growing up! I played with Nick Bondra for years and then with the Nylanders when I played for Team Maryland. I definitely wear #70 for Holtby. I used to wear #37 growing up since Kolzig was the first goalie I looked up to and still do. Once I signed with the Whale I knew I wanted to change to #70. I do really try to emulate Holtby’s style of play. He’s not the biggest or fastest but just competes constantly. No matter the score I always want to leave the game knowing I battled until the end and I think Holtby plays the same way. I also just admire his efforts off the ice to get involved with the community and stand up for what he believes in. I’m currently a graduate student in a counterterrorism program and my dream is to come back to DC whenever I decide to stop playing and coaching and work to solve humanitarian issues and crimes against humanity across the globe. Braden Holtby spoke at the Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner, and several teammates joined him https://t.co/WMrfaEThxJ — RMNB (@russianmachine) September 16, 2018 [S]eeing my hockey idol, as well as all of Brandi’s outreach effort at an event like the Human Rights Campaign speaking on behalf of those who can’t or won’t, is truly something I admire and aspire to do. It would really make my season for him to support not just myself but the Whale and the league. [A]s a player in the NWHL we’re always looking for ways to garner recognition and make a name for our teams and the league. The league has grown over the last few seasons but it’s still a struggle to get the recognition each of these women deserves. We train the same as the men in the NHL, eat just as healthy, care for our bodies just as much, but have to work 2 (sometimes 3) jobs to support ourselves on top of playing professionally, and still struggle to get the recognition we deserve as the top level athletes. The Whale, in particular, are the only NWHL team without an NHL affiliate so we receive a lot less money and media support. ICYMI: The @NWHL is open to partnering with "anyone who recognizes the value of our league."https://t.co/tTHSUKR8Nz — The Ice Garden (@TheIceGarden) September 19, 2018 [I]t’s a constant goal of mine to just take pride in being a part of the league and getting to be on the ice with the best players in the game and if that means getting Holtby to wear a Whale shirt then that’s even better! Let’s hope for a Caps Repeat!

Tickets for all five NWHL teams can be purchased online. The Whale kick off their preseason on September 23, when they take on the Buffalo Beauts at the Class of 1965 arena.

Walther’s goal is to win the Isobel Cup with the Whale. In an interview with Jen Silber of The Ice Garden, Walther said “That’s my hope for being a player on the Whale is, you know — they lost in the playoffs, well, how do we win? How do we win in playoffs? And I want to win. I want to win the championship; I want the Isobel Cup.”

C’mon, Braden–#70s have to stick together!

Here’s the link just in case you need it 😉 https://t.co/x5GnYKGYNE — Sam Walther (@sam_walther40) September 20, 2018

And if the shirsey doesn’t work, the NWHL team store has her jersey in stock.

🐳Whale Fans!🐳 2018 Whale Jerseys are now available in the shop! Treat yourself to one today!

👕: https://t.co/MCvFNPC4VQ pic.twitter.com/ULrUZ9j70V — Connecticut Whale (@CTWhale_NWHL) September 20, 2018

Headline photo: Sam Walther