Walker heads for Texas
Graduated P.E.I. Rocket forward to play for a Central Hockey League team
CHARLES REID
The Guardian
Charlottetown native Geoff Walker has signed on to play for the Texas Brahmas of the Central Hockey League for the rest of the Brahmas playoff run, The Guardian has learned.
Walker received a call Sunday from assistant coach Forbes MacPherson, also a Charlottetown native, and agreed on an amateur contract which won't affect possible scholastic plans for September.
The 20-year-old Walker had talked to the AHL's Toronto Marlies before the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs began, but no call came after the P.E.I. Rocket was eliminated from the Q post-season last week.
So, said Walker, he jumped at the chance to play hockey a while longer.
"The Toronto thing wasn't really coming through, so I thought I might as well head down there and see what happens," he said.
Walker leaves for Texas on Thursday and should play in the Brahmas'' playoff game on Friday versus the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.
The Brahmas lead the best-of-seven, second-round series 2-0.
Walker isn't sure what to expect when he arrives for morning skate Friday as the team and league are complete unknowns.
"Obviously, I want to go down and put up some numbers, but I'm just going to work my hardest and hopefully good things happen."
Walker joins Islanders Greg McConnell and Mark Carragher as well as former Rocket Brent MacSween on the Brahmas.
Walker said next fall he wants to play pro hockey but added university hockey is a possibility if the pro game doesn't work out.
He has narrowed his choices to Acadia University or the University of Prince Edward Island.
Walker finished the regular season 10th overall in league scoring with 38 goals and 52 assists in 69 games.
He had four goals and three assists in the Rocket's four playoff games.
