Is the Stanley Cup bound for Australia?

June 8, 2018

CANBERRA. -- The National Hockey League’s finals series is over with the Washington Capitals crowned the Stanley Cup champions, winning four games to one over new franchise Las Vegas Golden Knights.

And with today's 4-3 result, thoughts are now focusing on how to get the coveted Stanley Cup to tour down under since the first-ever Australian to play on a Cup winner – Nathan Walker – will have that opportunity.

If a national ice sports centre was already in existence, the ACT Ice Sports Federation believes the Cup would almost certainly make its way down the Hume Highway from Aussie superstar and Caps’ forward, “Stormy” Walker’s hometown of Sydney.

“It’s a long-standing NHL tradition that each player from the winning team gets to take the Stanley Cup home to show off to friends, family and fans, and ever since Nathan Walker got called back up from the minors to re-join the Washington Capitals for their play-off run, the hope has been that the Cup could make its way down under.

“Nathan played a crucial role in game six of the quarter finals setting up a goal which eventually led to a Caps 4-2 victory over the reigning champions, Pittsburgh Penguins. The buzz was all about how the Aussie had sped to retrieve the puck in the Pens’ zone, skated it past opponents behind the net and deftly set up a team-mate with a picture perfect pass which resulted in a shot and ultimately, a goal.

“Nathan has been fortunate to have been called back up to the Caps from a very successful season in the minor pros in the American Hockey League, because he’s considered an integral part of the team during their play-off run, especially with injuries or suspensions leaving spots to fill – that’s exactly what got him into the starting line-up in the quarter finals.

“Even better, as a part of the Caps team during the play-offs, he will likely be awarded a Stanley Cup ring too,” Prescott said.

Walker, 24, was born in Cardiff (Wales), but grew up and played ice hockey in Sydney until his early teens when his family sent him to the Czech Republic to billet with a local family and further develop his on-ice skills.  The rest is history, including being the first Australian to be drafted into the NHL (29th pick in the third round in 2014). He has played nine NHL regular season games, scoring a goal in his debut game, and one play-off game so far, recording an assist.

“We’d love to see Nathan Walker bringing the Stanley Cup back to Australia to show off, and while he may not have a direct connection with Canberra, he has played here and against ACT representative teams, and I’m sure he’d have travelled the short distance to the national capital if we’d had a national ice sports centre in which to show off the world’s oldest existing professional sport trophy,” Prescott said.

“While it may not happen this time with the Stanley Cup, we nonetheless continue to appreciate and value the support of our local ACT politicians, community and business partners in bringing this critical national ice sports centre to fruition for the benefit of the ice sports community and all Canberrans,” Prescott added.