Scott Walker (born July 19, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who currently serves as the co-owner and team president of the Guelph Storm in the OHL. He previously held the position of player development consultant for the Vancouver Canucks.
During his 17 seasons as a professional hockey player, Walker played in 829 regular season games in the NHL where he scored 397 points and earned 1,135 minutes in penalties before retiring as a player following the 2009–10 NHL season. He also competed in three Ice Hockey World Championships (1999, 2001, and 2005) as a member of Team Canada.
Owen Sound Platers (1991–1993)
Walker joined the Owen Sound Platers of the OHL in the 1991–92, after spending two seasons playing with the Kitchener Dutchmen and Cambridge Winterhawks of the OHA Junior 'B' league from 1989 to 1991. In his first season with the Platers, Walker had seven goals and 38 points in 53 games, helping Owen Sound reach the playoffs. In five playoff games, Walker earned seven assists to lead the club in points.
Walker returned to the Platers in 1992–93, as he finished third in team scoring with 23 goals and 91 points in 57 games, while earning 110 penalty minutes. In eight playoff games, Walker had a goal and six points.
At the 1993 NHL entry draft, the Vancouver Canucks selected Walker in the 5th round, 124th overall.
Walker spent the 1993–94 season with the Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Canucks. In 77 games with Hamilton, Walker had 10 goals and 39 points, as well as 272 PIM, helping the club reach the post-season. In four playoff games, Walker had an assist and 25 PIM.
In 1994–95, Walker moved with the team to Syracuse, as the Canucks shifted their AHL affiliate and became the Syracuse Crunch. In 74 games with the Crunch, Walker had 14 goals and 52 points to finish fourth in team scoring, while accumulating 334 PIM, as the club failed to qualify for the playoffs. Walker also made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks during the 1994–95 season, as on April 13, 1995, Walker appeared in his first NHL game, going pointless, while earning four penalty minutes and a +1 rating in the Canucks 6–4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. On April 17, 1995, Walker earned his first NHL point, an assist, during the Canucks 2–2 tie with the Dallas Stars. Overall, Walker played in 11 games with Vancouver, earning an assist and 33 PIM.
Walker began the 1995–96 with Vancouver, and on October 14, 1995, he scored his first career NHL goal against Wade Flaherty of the San Jose Sharks in the Canucks' 7–6 victory. Overall, Walker had four goals and 12 points in 63 games with the Canucks before finishing the season with the Syracuse Crunch. In 15 games with the Crunch, Walker had three goals and 15 points, helping the club reach the playoffs. In the post-season, Walker had nine goals and 17 points in 16 games. He was the first player to fight in the then newly opened General Motors Place.
Walker transitioned from defence to forward and spent the entire season in 1996–97 with the Canucks, appearing in 64 games, scoring three goals and 18 points, while earning 132 PIM, however, the club failed to reach the playoffs.
In 1997–98, Walker played in 59 games with Vancouver, scoring three goals and 13 points, while setting a career high with 164 PIM. The Canucks once again failed to qualify for the post-season.
On June 26, 1998, the Nashville Predators claimed Walker in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft.
Nashville Predators (1998–2006)
Walker joined the Nashville Predators for their first season in 1998–99, as he appeared in 71 games with the club, scoring 15 goals and 40 points to finish fifth in team scoring.
Walker saw his offensive production slip during the 1999–2000 season, as in 69 games, Walker had seven goals and 28 points, which was eight goals and 12 points fewer than the previous season.
He rebounded in a big way during the 2000–01 season, as Walker scored a team high 25 goals, and finished second on the Predators with 54 points in 74 games.
Walker had an injury plagued season in 2001–02, playing in just 28 games, scoring four goals and nine points. On November 13, 2001, he suffered a concussion against the Buffalo Sabres, as the injury would cause Walker to end his season early in January.
Walker returned from his concussion problems in the 2002–03, playing in 60 games, scoring 15 goals and 33 points with the Predators. Walker served as the Predators interim captain when Greg Johnson was injured in January.