Walker finds range in Texas 
Former P.E.I. Rocket will continue to pursue avenues in pro hockey after stint with Central Hockey League team
CHARLES REID
The Guardian
Charlottetown's Geoff Walker has a few choice words about his nearly month-long stint with the Texas Brahmas in April.
"Awesome," said the former P.E.I. Rocket forward. "(It was) tough to get in the lineup because they had a good team, but once I got in I started to get in a groove. It was an unbelievable experience."
Last month, Walker heeded a call from Forbes MacPherson, Brahmas assistant coach and Charlottetown native, just days after the Rocket was eliminated from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs to join him in north Texas, not far from Dallas, for the Central Hockey League team's playoff run.
Texas ended the season 40-22-2, good for 82 points and fifth overall in the 17-team CHL. Heading into the post-season, Texas was the league's hottest team, going 23-5-1 down the stretch.
The 20-year-old Walker played in five playoff games versus the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and the Colorado Eagles, tallying seven shots, nine penalty minutes and a minus-three plus-minus differential.
Texas lost to Colorado in game seven in a best-of-seven league semifinal, finishing one win away from the Ray Miron President's Cup final - a remarkable feat considering the Brahmas suspended operations for a season, relocated to a new arena and made its first playoff appearance since 2001.
Walker parachuted into a faster, more physical league than the QMJHL and, he said, those five games at the minor pro level were good lessons.
"You're playing against men out there. I was going down there not really knowing what to expect from the league or anything like that, but it's a really, really good league and kind of an eye opener to what I have to work on to play at that level or any other level as a pro," said Walker.
Now graduated from the QMJHL, Walker also has his eyes open to his future and a few choices to make.
First is going pro. Whether that's at the American Hockey League or ECHL levels or with the Brahmas, Walker, an undrafted free agent, isn't sure yet. He said he talked to MacPherson recently, so CHL play is possible.
Before the Q playoffs, Walker had a few nibbles from the AHL's Toronto Marlies, but nothing materialized.
Last September, the Toronto Maple Leafs invited him to its training camp.
Another option is the University of Prince Edward Island men's hockey team in the very tough Atlantic University Sport conference. He signed an amateur contract with Texas which didn't affect his five years of university eligibilty.
Walker has committed to the UPEI Panthers (Acadia was his choice on the mainland) if his pro plans fall through for 2008-09.
"I talked to Dylan (Taylor, UPEI men's head coach) and if I go to university, it's going to be UPEI," said Walker.
Also on the Brahmas roster were Islanders Mark Carragher and Greg McConnell.
creid@theguardian.pe.ca
CHARLES REID
The Guardian
Charlottetown's Geoff Walker has a few choice words about his nearly month-long stint with the Texas Brahmas in April.
"Awesome," said the former P.E.I. Rocket forward. "(It was) tough to get in the lineup because they had a good team, but once I got in I started to get in a groove. It was an unbelievable experience."
Last month, Walker heeded a call from Forbes MacPherson, Brahmas assistant coach and Charlottetown native, just days after the Rocket was eliminated from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs to join him in north Texas, not far from Dallas, for the Central Hockey League team's playoff run.
Texas ended the season 40-22-2, good for 82 points and fifth overall in the 17-team CHL. Heading into the post-season, Texas was the league's hottest team, going 23-5-1 down the stretch.
The 20-year-old Walker played in five playoff games versus the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs and the Colorado Eagles, tallying seven shots, nine penalty minutes and a minus-three plus-minus differential.
Texas lost to Colorado in game seven in a best-of-seven league semifinal, finishing one win away from the Ray Miron President's Cup final - a remarkable feat considering the Brahmas suspended operations for a season, relocated to a new arena and made its first playoff appearance since 2001.
Walker parachuted into a faster, more physical league than the QMJHL and, he said, those five games at the minor pro level were good lessons.
"You're playing against men out there. I was going down there not really knowing what to expect from the league or anything like that, but it's a really, really good league and kind of an eye opener to what I have to work on to play at that level or any other level as a pro," said Walker.
Now graduated from the QMJHL, Walker also has his eyes open to his future and a few choices to make.
First is going pro. Whether that's at the American Hockey League or ECHL levels or with the Brahmas, Walker, an undrafted free agent, isn't sure yet. He said he talked to MacPherson recently, so CHL play is possible.
Before the Q playoffs, Walker had a few nibbles from the AHL's Toronto Marlies, but nothing materialized.
Last September, the Toronto Maple Leafs invited him to its training camp.
Another option is the University of Prince Edward Island men's hockey team in the very tough Atlantic University Sport conference. He signed an amateur contract with Texas which didn't affect his five years of university eligibilty.
Walker has committed to the UPEI Panthers (Acadia was his choice on the mainland) if his pro plans fall through for 2008-09.
"I talked to Dylan (Taylor, UPEI men's head coach) and if I go to university, it's going to be UPEI," said Walker.
Also on the Brahmas roster were Islanders Mark Carragher and Greg McConnell.
creid@theguardian.pe.ca
