HE could be running around for the Cronulla Sharks, but instead Nathan Walker is on the verge of becoming the first Australian to play in the NHL.

Walker, 23, has had a brilliant preseason with the Washington Capitals and is in line to feature in the team’s season opener this week.

Walker’s journey from a young boy inspired by The Mighty Ducks growing up in the Sutherland Shire, to the NHL, has been remarkable.

Walker was a promising rugby league player, appearing for Cronulla’s junior teams until he was 15.

But the lure of ice hockey proved too strong, and he quickly displayed a level of talent not previously seen in this country.

media_camera Nathan Walker during pre-season for the Washington Capitals.

The undersized yet speedy winger spent six years improving his game as a teenager in the Czech Republic, before moving to the US during the 2012-13 season.

Walker was drafted by the Capitals in 2014 with the 89th overall pick.

Continued improvement with the Capitals’ AHL affiliate Hershey Bears significantly raised his profile within the organisation, and strong offensive returns over the past two season placed him on the verge of an NHL debut late last season.

That debut was put on hold after a broken wrist sidelined him for six weeks, before returning to the Bears for their 2016-17 Calder Cup Playoffs campaign.

With a star-studded roster, the two-time reigning Presidents Trophy-winning Capitals needed to free up cap space over the American summer and will enter the 2017-18 season without forwards Marcus Johansson, Justin Williams, and Daniel Winnik.

media_camera NHL star in waiting Nathan Walker with his mother Ceri.

With their departure, coach Barry Trotz will need to bolster his line-up with prospects, which has opened the door for Walker, who was signed to a new two-year, two-way contract worth $1.3 million in June.

Walker’s strong preseason campaign started with an impressive training camp, before he scored the Capitals’ first goal of the preseason against the New Jersey Devils.

In the games since, he’s shown the speed, skill, and toughness to succeed at NHL level.

Dubbed by Washington DC media as a “little wrecking ball”, Trotz has always been a strong supporter of Walker.

“You talk about a guy that brings it every shift, he does,’’ Trotz said.

“He has an effect on the game. He may not be the most natural goal scorer, but he has an effect on the pace of play, the zone play, he wears people out, he’s in your face, and he gets people off their game.

“There’s a lot of good things about Nathan that you like.’’

Trotz said Walker’s passion made him stand out.

“Walks was starting to make things happen. His speed was noticeable, his will on the puck if you will was really good.”

Asked what it’s like knowing he’s on the verge of achieving his dream of being the first Australian to play in the NHL, Walker added: “Yeah it’s pretty big, but at the end of the day I’ve got to grind it out and try to push for that spot.”

Walker’s debut is not only set to break new ground, it will give the growing Australian Ice Hockey League another boost on the back of a 2017 season which produced record attendance and online viewership figures.

The Capitals open their season on Friday against the Ottawa Senators.

Dan Clark is a US freelance sports writer

daniel.clark@tbldaily.com