On a productive offensive blue line, Steelheads rookie defenseman Travis Walsh put up some solid numbers in an All-Star first season in Boise. Both at 5-on-5 and on the power play, Walsh racked up points and grew at both ends of the ice.
Let’s go for an in-depth look at Walshy’s first-year figures:
27 – Travis Walsh totaled 27 points last season, second only to Will Merchant among Steelheads rookies and 13th in the league among rookie defensemen. Walsh’s point total was the highest by a Steelheads’ rookie defenseman since 2012-13, when Jeremie Blain finished with 31 points.
12 – He put up points, but Walsh’s defensive game was what made him a standout player in college, twice winning the Dr. John Downs Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year Award at Michigan State. In Idaho he would finish his rookie year a plus-1. After going minus-6 in his first four professional games, Walsh went the next 12 in a row from October 29th to November 26th without a minus rating. He was a plus-10 over that stretch.
3 – Walsh’s best offensive game of the season came on a night when the Steelheads certainly needed it. His first and only three-point performance came in Kansas City on February 25th in a 5-4 comeback win over the Mavericks. Walsh had the primary assist on both Brian Nugent tallies, including the game-tying goal in the final minute of the second period.
6 – You can’t blame Travis if he’s looking forward to games against the Grizzlies next season. Walsh had a goal and five assists last year against Utah, more points than he had against any other opponent.
8 – Walsh had eight power play assists, second on the team and again the most by a rookie Steelheads defenseman since Jeremie Blaine had 12 in 2013.
52 – Travis Walsh’s jersey number at the ECHL All-Star Classic in Glens Falls, NY.
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