Walker Back to Cali

As you may have heard, 2007-08 Bucks defenseman David Walker has signed with the Ontario (California) Reign of the ECHL, knocking one more name off the list of possible returnees for the upcoming season.

Here is the press release from the Reign:


ONTARIO REIGN SIGNS FIRST-EVER PLAYER TO ROSTER SPOT

Local So-Cal player David Walker joins Reign Roster

ONTARIO, Calif. – The Ontario Reign of the ECHL, proud affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, announced today the signing of Defenseman David Walker as the first-ever player in Ontario Reign history. Per Club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Walker, 29, skates onto the Reign’s roster after spending the past year with the Laredo Bucks of the CHL. While with the Bucks, Walker accrued 15 points (1g, 14a) in 38 games and accumulated 88 penalty minutes. The 6-foot, 200-pound Bridgewater, Nova Scotia native made his home in Long Beach, Calif. nearly five years ago when he made his professional hockey debut in 2004-05 with the former Long Beach Ice Dogs of the ECHL. While with the Ice Dogs until the 2006-07 season, Walker played in 181 games netting 47 points (8g-39a) and amassing 352 penalty minutes. Walker led the Ice Dogs with 151 penalty minutes during 2006-07.

“It feels good to be back in Southern California,” said Walker. “I feel comfortable playing for the people in charge of the organization; from Justin and Barry Kemp to Karl [Taylor] and the Los Angeles Kings. [California] is my home now and it is a place I can rest my hat. I am happy to play with a team here again and to be closer to my family. I came out to California about five years ago with the intention of winning a championship; this is just another opportunity to bring one home.”

Prior to suiting up for the Ice Dogs, Walker played four years (2000-04) for Dalhousie University (CIS) in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he appeared in 106 games and netted 15 goals and 36 assists. Walker also played for the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL from 1996-00 where, in his second year, he racked up 226 penalty minutes in only 41 games.

“We are pleased to have David join the Reign,” Head Coach Karl Taylor said. “He is a great addition to the team and with his experience playing professional hockey he will be able to use his skill to help the younger players develop.”


Walker and forward Andrew Desjardins are two players who will definitely be coming back to Laredo, as Desjardins signed with the ECHL's Phoenix Roadrunners earlier this summer.

I will get coach's reaction when I talk to him about some other news later this week...