Ryan Walters (ice hockey)

Ryan Walters (born July 30, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey forward who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Utah Grizzlies in the ECHL.

Ryan Walters
Walters playing with the Iowa Wild in 2014
Born (1991-07-30) July 30, 1991 (age 33)
Rosemount, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 188 lb (85 kg; 13 st 6 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
team
Former teams
Free Agent
Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Iowa Wild
San Diego Gulls
Yunost Minsk
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2010–present

Early years

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Playing career

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Walters in 2010, playing college hockey for the Omaha Mavericks

Walters played college hockey with the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks in the NCAA Men's Division I WCHA conference. In his junior year, Walters was named to the 2012–13 All-WCHA First Team.[1]

Upon completing his collegiate career, Walters signed an amateur try-out contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League on March 21, 2014.

Walters was invited to represent the Minnesota Wild at the 2014 NHL prospects tournament. He signed a one-year contract with Minnesota's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, on September 24, 2014.[2]

On August 25, 2015, Walters signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL.[3]

After three full minor league seasons in North America, Walters opted to pursue a European career in agreeing to a one-year deal with Belarusian club, Yunost Minsk of the Extraliga on May 31, 2017.[4] Walters played 10 games with Yunost before opting to return to the ECHL, with former club, the Utah Grizzlies on October 30, 2017.

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2006–07 St. Thomas Academy USHS 26 23 25 48 12
2007–08 St. Thomas Academy USHS 29 36 39 75 26
2007–08 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 16 0 3 3 14
2008–09 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 60 18 26 44 84
2009–10 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 59 21 40 61 103
2010–11 U. of Nebraska-Omaha WCHA 38 11 12 23 42
2011–12 U. of Nebraska-Omaha WCHA 38 10 15 25 56
2012–13 U. of Nebraska-Omaha WCHA 39 22 30 52 20
2013–14 U. of Nebraska-Omaha NCHC 37 7 27 34 18
2013–14 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 11 1 2 3 2
2014–15 Iowa Wild AHL 20 1 7 8 6
2014–15 Alaska Aces ECHL 46 20 23 43 13
2015–16 Utah Grizzlies ECHL 53 19 22 41 39
2015–16 San Diego Gulls AHL 1 0 0 0 0
2015–16 Rapid City Rush ECHL 17 5 12 17 11
2016–17 Rapid City Rush ECHL 72 30 39 69 53
2017–18 Yunost Minsk BXL 10 7 8 15 0
2017–18 Utah Grizzlies ECHL 63 29 34 63 30
2018–19 Utah Grizzlies ECHL 64 17 31 48 58
AHL totals 32 2 9 11 8

Awards and honors

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Award Year
College
All-WCHA First Team 2012–13 [5]
AHCA West Second-Team All-American 2012–13

References

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  1. ^ "WCHA announces first team selections". Western Collegiate Hockey Association. March 15, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  2. ^ "Iowa Wild signs forward Ryan Walters". Iowa Wild. September 24, 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  3. ^ "Grizzlies welcome Alaska star Walters to Utah". Utah Grizzlies. August 25, 2015. Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  4. ^ "Yunost Minsk sign American Ryan Walters" (in Russian). Yunost Minsk. May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  5. ^ "2012–13 Conference Honors". collegehockeyinc.com. April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by WCHA Scoring leader
2012–13
Succeeded by