Nathan Walker signs two-year contract with Washington

June 1, 2017
Kyle Mace
News

The Washington Capitals announced Thursday afternoon that forward Nathan Walker had been re-signed to a two-year, two-way contract.

The 23-year-old has spent the last four seasons in Hershey with the Bears, playing 202 games for the Chocolate and White. Walker joined the Bears in 2013 after a strong outing as an invite to the Capitals development camp. Last season Walker converted to a fill-in center for the Hershey, while still spending his natural position as a winger.

Walker suffered a hand injury late in the season before returning to the lineup for the final 12 games of the season, along with the Bears playoff run.

The terms of the contract, according to Capitals senior writer Mike Vogel, are as follows:

2017-18: $650k NHL, $125k AHL, $150k guaranteed
2018-19: $650k NHL, $125k AHL, $175k guaranteed

Walker would need waivers to return to the AHL if he were to be sent back down to Hershey.

Press release:

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed left wing Nathan Walker to a two-year, two-way contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Walker, 23, registered 23 points (11g, 12a) in 58 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) during the 2016-17 season. The 5’9”, 185-pound left wing ranked eighth among Bears skaters in plus/minus (+11) and tied for ninth in goals. In addition, Walker set a career high with two game-winning goals in 2016-17 and tied his career high in multi-goal games (2). During the 2015-16 season, Walker registered 41 points (17g, 24a) in 73 games, setting career highs in points, goals, assists and games played. He finished the season ranked third on the team in plus/minus (+20), fourth in goals and points, fifth in games played and sixth in assists. Walker was also named Hershey’s 2016 Man of the Year, Unsung Hero and Most Improved Player. The Sydney, Australia, native was drafted by the Capitals in the third round, 89th overall, in the 2014 NHL Draft and became the first Australian player to be drafted in NHL history. Walker has earned 79 points (34g, 45a) in 202 career AHL games with Hershey.