Walker on the AIHL finals and training for the NHL

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With the AIHL Finals only days away, Australia’s most famous ice hockey export, Nathan ‘Stormy’ Walker, will be on hand to witness the most tightly contested Goodall Cup series in memory.
 
The Washington Capitals prospect will be in the thick of the celebrations, signing autographs and meeting fans on both days, including offering an open training session on Sunday morning so fans can see what it takes to be considered for an NHL berth. However, when it comes to hockey spectacle, the former Sydney Ice Dogs player is a little biased offer his picks of who the AIHL champions will be.
 
“The Melbourne teams are looking good, Canberra’s looking pretty hot right now so it’s going to be tough but probably the Ice Dogs,” Walker said. “They’ve got a good shot if they can get in the playoffs and make some ruckus down there.”
 
Walker has appeared at numerous AIHL games this season to meet and greet fans eager to congratulate the star on his achievements and furthering the country’s awareness of the game.
 
With the AIHL season winding down, the interest of many Australian ice hockey fans will soon turn to the NHL and whether Walker can crack the big time. Although still in Australia, it’s clear that Walker is focused on being in peak physical condition to take any opportunity given with the Capitals.
 
Walker has been travelling back and forth to the US following his draft but maintains he is reveling in the challenge. Although enjoying the additional sleep the off-season allows, he has been keeping in shape for September’s training camp by following monthly workout routines from Washington.
 
“Conditioning work, strength workouts; just keeping up with the program that they’re running there,” Walker said.
 
Walker Sports Management posted two videos to Facebook giving a glimpse into his training methods including pushing up a steep hill off-ice in a weighted 20kg vest and on-ice drills at Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink. Walker himself revealed to bodyscience.com.au the importance of leg strength to his fast and aggressive style of hockey.
 
“That’s why I spend a large part of my training working on explosive moves to strengthen my legs,” Walker said. “Some of these high intensity plyometric exercises will benefit the hockey player because you’re using the same muscle groups that are used on the ice.”
 
Washington Capital’s director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager, Ross Mahoney shared his views on Walker to the Monumental Network’s Mike Vogel. Vogel described the hard work and development by Walker to make himself a stronger player over the years visibly benefitting his skating.
 
“I’m not the biggest guy on ice so skating needs to be one of the strongest assets I have,” Walker said. “Not only the quickness but getting a strong stride in and that’s what I’ve really got to focus on.”
 
Having been in Australia for a few weeks after participating in his third Capital’s development camp, Walker said he’d welcomed the advice and training from Washington’s coaches.
 
“There was a lot to learn,” Walker said. “We got some new skating coaches there, which was good, all different techniques and things like that so there’s a lot I can take back from that; a lot of nutritional stuff as well.”
 
The 5’9”, 185-pound left wing’s view from camp was captured by the Monumental Network on a helmet camera and is a must see for hockey fans in Walker’s opinion. 
 
“When you’re sitting in the stands, you don’t really get the perspective of how quick the game actually is, what happens on the ice and the talk that goes on,” Walker said.