Australian Nathan Walker latest symbol of hockey’s global growth

The Australian ambassador to the United States is named Joe Hockey. No joke.

It was only fitting, then, that Hockey was in attendance in Washington when the first Australian played in the NHL.

Nathan Walker made his debut Oct. 7, and the 23-year-old Aussie scored his first career goal in the Capitals’ 6-1 victory over Montreal, the latest symbol of hockey’s growth around the globe.

“We are the most internationally diverse of the North American four major sports leagues,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday at the Golden Knights’ home opener when asked about Walker.

“Twenty-five percent, roughly, of our players come from outside of North America, and it’s great to see our players have roots from all over the world, although I think if you check his travels, it was a fairly nontraditional route.”

Indeed.

Walker was born in Wales and immigrated to Australia when he was 2 years old. He was inspired to play hockey by his older brother and “The Mighty Ducks” movie.

After dominating his area competition, Walker moved to the Czech Republic at age 13 and became the first Australian to play in the Czech first division.

He came to the U.S. in 2013 and played in the junior United States Hockey League, earning a spot in Washington’s development camp that summer.

Walker signed a contract with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League and eventually was drafted by the Capitals in the third round in 2014 after being passed over the previous two drafts.

The scrappy, fourth-line wing had 11 goals and 23 points in 58 games for Hershey last season and would have been called up to the Capitals in January if not for an injured hand.

Walker’s historic goal was somewhat overshadowed that night by a hat trick from Alex Ovechkin, who became the first player in 100 years to open the season with back-to-back hat tricks.

Walker deflected a shot from Devante Smith-Pelly into the net late in the second period. The goal was originally credited to Smith-Pelly, but later changed.

The next day, Walker received a congratulatory phone call from Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Walker was a healthy scratch against New Jersey on Friday and Saturday at Philadelphia.

“It’s great to have him in the league, and it’s great to have so many countries represented in our league,” Bettman said. “We are truly a melting pot.”

Fish finders

Dustin Byfuglien and Matt Hendricks of the Winnipeg Jets spent their day off Wednesday fishing in British Columbia and landed a sturgeon that measured almost 10 feet long and weighed an estimated 600 pounds.

Jets coach Paul Maurice became noticeably agitated when asked about Byfuglien battling a massive fish while injured. Byfuglien played Saturday after missing two games last week with a “soft tissue” lower-body injury, while Hendricks is on injured reserve with a foot injury.

“He wasn’t bull riding,” Maurice said of Byfuglien. “He was fishing.”

“It was a big fish,” one journalist responded.

“Well, he didn’t have to wrestle it,” Maurice answered testily. “We gave him a line and a hook.”

Anthem policy

Bettman reiterated the league’s stance on protests during the national anthem as part of a fan Q&A last week with Los Angeles Kings analyst Jim Fox.

Bettman said the league hasn’t issued an “edict” and players are encouraged to be socially active away from the rink.

“Our players tend to focus on the games, which is what I think fans want,” Bettman said in part. “There’s lots of places where you can exercise your commitment on either social or political causes, but I don’t think people come to games for that.”

Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.