Kurt Walker (ice hockey)

Kurt Walker (June 10, 1954 – August 17, 2018) was an American professional ice hockey player who played 71 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Toronto Maple Leafs between 1976 and 1978.

Kurt Walker
Born (1954-06-10)June 10, 1954
Weymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died August 17, 2018(2018-08-17) (aged 64)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Left
Played for Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 1974–1980

Career

Walker started his professional career with the Saginaw Gears, of the International Hockey League, in the 1974–75 IHL season.

Walker played 71 NHL games, over parts of the 1975–76 through 1977–78 NHL seasons, all with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored his first career NHL goal against the Vancouver Canucks on January 21, 1977.[1] Walker scored 9 points in the NHL and accrued 152 penalty minutes.

He closed out his professional career with the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League in the 1979–80 AHL season.

Post–playing career

Playing as an enforcer throughout his hockey career, Walker required 17 surgeries to repair injuries.[2] He criticized the NHL Alumni organization, which he claimed did not support retired players enough financially.[3] As a result, he created an organization called Dignity after Hockey to raise awareness and funds to provide health care to retired players.[4] In 2017, he added his name to a class-action lawsuit against the NHL alleging neglect of support for players suffering injuries and financial strain once retired.[2]

Death

Walker died in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 17, 2018, from sepsis.[5][6][7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1971–72 Hingham High School HS-MA ————— —————
1972–73 Northeastern University ECAC ————— —————
1973–74 Sherbrooke Castors QMJHL 36257142 —————
1974–75 Saginaw Gears IHL 67134168 160000
1975–76 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 500049 600024
1975–76 Oklahoma City Blazers CHL 59459184 —————
1976–77 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 2623534 —————
1976–77 Dallas Black Hawks CHL 630350 —————
1977–78 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 4022469 1000010
1977–78 Dallas Black Hawks CHL 2033653 21012
1978–79 Springfield Indians AHL 1101122 —————
1978–79 Tulsa Oilers CHL 5417193681 —————
1979–80 Binghamton Dusters AHL 60004 —————
1979–80 Syracuse Firebirds AHL 1114518 —————
NHL totals 71459152 1600034

References
  1. Malinowski, Mark (August 23, 2015). "GETTING TO KNOW: KURT WALKER". thehockeynews.com. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  2. Gordon, Sean (November 29, 2013). "Seven seasons, 17 surgeries and Kurt Walker is still in pain". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  3. McGran, Kevin (May 24, 2014). "Ex-NHLers say they are hurting, need help but NHL Alumni isn't there for them". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  4. "Kurt Walker Former NHL Enforcer Heads "Dignity After Hockey"". independentsportsnews.com. May 17, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  5. Loftus, Mike (August 19, 2018). "Kurt Walker, South Shore native who reached NHL, then advocated for players, dies at 64". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  6. Hornby, Lance (August 18, 2018). "Former Leafs enforcer and advocate for retired NHLers, Kurt Walker, dead at 64". Toronto Sun. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  7. Cooper, Bruce C."Former Maple Leaf Kurt Walker passes at 64" HockeyBuzz.com
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.