From NRL to the NHL: Sydney’s Nathan Walker hoping to make history

6:48 PM ET

When Nathan Walker spoke to ESPN, the man who is determined to become the first Australian to play in the NHL had just returned from the dentist after an injury playing for the Hershey Bears in the second-tier American Hockey League.

Not that he was complaining – injuries happen frequently in the rough-and-tumble world of ice hockey, especially for someone as combative as Walker.

The 22-year-old grew up in Sydney and considered pursuing an NRL career, before doggedly plotting a course to play in one of the world’s toughest professional leagues.

“I think so, yes [the physicality of ice hockey suits me] … I like to play a rough game,” Walker told ESPN.

“I played rugby league back home – it was fun, but I had to make the choice between hockey and rugby when I was pretty young. I was in the development program with the Cronulla Sharks … I’m not sure where that path would’ve taken me, but I definitely don’t regret choosing hockey.”

Nathan Walker of the Washington Capitals poses for his official headshot for the 2014-2015 season. Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images

Many Australians have broken into the NBA, NFL and MLB, and the NHL remains the final frontier in terms of American sporting competitions. Walker has already broken new ground, becoming the first Aussie drafted to an NHL team — he was snapped up by the Washington Capitals in 2014, at pick No. 89 — since when he has played for their feeder team, the Hershey Bears, in the AHL, one rung below the NHL.

The aggressive forward acknowledges he is a trailblazer of sorts, but realises he’s just one of countless hopefuls trying to eke out a chance at the top level.

“It’s definitely a little different when you see the Australian flag on the roster, but at the end of the day I’m just another player trying to make it in the big leagues and doing everything I can to get there,” he says.

“It’d be amazing [to reach the NHL]. I’d feel like … not to say this in a cocky way, but I’d …

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