Matt Walker (ice hockey)

Matt Walker
Walker with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010.
Born	April 7, 1980 (1980-04-07) Beavelodge, AB, CAN
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Philadelphia Flyers St. Louis Blues Chicago Blackhawks Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Draft	83rd overall, 1998 St. Louis Blues
Playing career	2000–present

Matt Walker (born April 7, 1980) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the younger brother of former WHL player Darby Walker and cousin of former AHL goaltender Mike Walker.

Playing career

Walker was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 3rd round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, 83rd overall. He spent the first ten years of his professional career with both the Blues and their American Hockey League affiliates, the Worcester IceCats and the Peoria Rivermen. After having played 153 games in the league he finally notched his first NHL goal on February 17, 2008 while the Blues were hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets.

On July 1, 2009, he signed a 4 year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning worth $1.7 million per season.

On July 19, 2010 Walker was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, along with a 4th round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for forward Simon Gagne.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1997–98	Portland Winter Hawks	WHL		64	2	13	15	124		16	0	0	0	21
1998–99	Portland Winter Hawks	WHL		64	1	10	11	151		4	0	1	1	6
1999–00	Portland Winter Hawks	WHL		38	2	7	9	97		—	—	—	—	—
1999–00	Kootenay Ice	WHL		31	4	19	23	53		21	5	13	18	24
2000–01	Peoria Rivermen	ECHL		8	1	0	1	70		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Worcester IceCats	AHL		61	4	8	12	131		11	0	0	0	6
2001–02	Worcester IceCats	AHL		49	2	11	13	164		3	0	0	0	8
2002–03	Worcester IceCats	AHL		40	1	8	9	58		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	St. Louis Blues	NHL		16	0	1	1	38		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	St. Louis Blues	NHL		14	0	1	1	25		4	0	0	0	0
2003–04	Worcester IceCats	AHL		4	0	1	1	7		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Worcester IceCats	AHL		20	2	4	6	44		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	St. Louis Blues	NHL		54	0	2	2	79		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	St. Louis Blues	NHL		48	0	5	5	72		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Peoria Rivermen	AHL		2	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	St. Louis Blues	NHL		43	1	1	2	61		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		65	1	13	14	79		17	0	2	2	14
2009–10	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		66	2	3	5	90		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		4	0	0	0	4		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Adirondack Phantoms	AHL		11	0	2	2	8		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				310	4	26	30	448		21	0	2	2	14

External links

• Matt Walker's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Matt Walker at Hockey-Reference.com
• Matt Walker's biography at Legends of Hockey
• Matt Walker's NHL player profile