BOISE, Idaho – Boise, Idaho native, Zach Walker, has agreed to terms with the Idaho Steelheads, Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Everett Sheen announced Tuesday, becoming the first ever home-grown player to join the organization.
The 6-foot-1, 201 pound forward from Boston College tallied 3 goals and 15 assists for a total of 18 points.
“I still call Idaho my roots. I used to walk around selling Chuck-A-Pucks and remember watching Marty Flichel and Lance Galbraith,” said Walker. “I haven’t been home in quite some time but I am excited to see how things have changed.”
Walker, 21, played in the Junior Steelheads organization from 2008-2012 and was a member of the 2011-12 team that won the National Championship (Thorne Cup). He left the Treasure Valley when he was 14 to join the Colorado Thunderbirds U14 team, coached by former NHL defenseman Adam Foote.
“It means the world to me having grown up watching the Steelheads,” said Walker. “I always knew in the back of my head that if there was ever a chance for me to play professional hockey that Boise would be a great place to start my career.”
Prior to his four-year stint at Boston College, Walker was also a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program as well as both the U.S. National U17 Team and U.S. National U18 Team and was the first Idaho native for both the Development team and the Eagles.
“Zach is a very hard-working, dedicated individual. He comes from a great pedigree at Boston College and the USNTDP, looking for him to use his speed and shot to excel at the pro level,” said Steelheads Head Coach Everett Sheen. “It’s also very exciting to bring on board a local product. Zach grew up watching the Steelheads and played his youth hockey here in Boise. To have him join us now is tremendous for the hockey community in Boise.”
Walker was recently named as a Distinguished Scholar by Hockey East as he made the All-Academic team during each of his four years as a varsity student-athlete.
The Boston College alum is the second Steelheads player agreeing to an ECHL contract for the 2020-21 season joining forward A.J. White. Future announcements and signings will be announced throughout the summer.
Season tickets for the 2020-21 season are now available! Call the Steelheads Front Office at 208-383-0080 to plan your seats for next season. Stay connected to the Steelheads throughout the summer on idahosteelheads.com or by following the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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