(Caps Outsider)

It wasn’t meant to be. After spending several years with the organization, mostly in Hershey, the Washington Capitals waived the first NHL player from Australia, Nathan Walker. He was picked up by the Edmonton Oilers. This after signing him to a two-year-two-way contract back in June.

Walker, 23, played four seasons with the Bears, was drafted by the Caps during that time, took the long road to the NHL, finally made his debut this year, scored his first goal in his first game, played seven games total, then sat in the press box.

Walker wrote this to his fans: “First off, I would like to thank the entire Washington Capitals organization for helping me fulfill my lifelong dream of playing in the NHL. No one thought it possible that a kid raised in Australia could ever make it to the NHL. I’ll be forever grateful to Washington for giving me that chance. Also, I want to wish my teammates success this season. To my new team, I’m so proud to now be an Edmonton Oiler and to join an incredible franchise with such rich history. I can’t wait to get started.”

To be realistic about Walker, though, would be to admit that he’s an undersized forward who would likely keep struggling to find a consistent spot in the NHL. Think of players like Keith Aucoin and Chris Bourque, great AHL players who just couldn’t make the leap to the next level. At the very worst for the Caps, Walker could’ve remained that guy in Hershey, coming up every once in a while to fill in for an injured forward. Perhaps there’s more room for him in the NHL in Edmonton.

That said, it was an honor and a privilege to be able to cover Walker during his years with the Bears and his stint with the Caps, and we will never forget him.