Defenseman Ian Walker Retires to Pursue Academic Opportunity
Published on August 19, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Everett Silvertips News Release
EVERETT, Wash. - Ian Walker, a three-year defenseman for the Everett Silvertips (@WHLSilvertips), officially announced his retirement from the game today, electing to pursue a career in engineering and his degree from the University of British Columbia.
Walker, 19, will attend classes at UBC starting this fall, enrolling in an Engineering major. While attending UBC, he will receive three years of WHL Scholarship benefits, including tuition, fees, and textbooks for every season played in the Western Hockey League.
The native of Vancouver, British Columbia competed in172 career WHL games, all with the Silvertips with 23 points (2g-21a), 30 penalty minutes and a +17 rating while helping guide the Tips to three straight U.S. Division titles and the Western Conference championship in 2017-18. Walker skated in a career-high 67 games in 2017-18 with a +7 rating, and didn't miss a playoff game in the Tips run to the WHL Championship Series with a goal and four assists in 22 postseason games.
Walker's announcement: "I'd like to thank all the fans for welcoming me to the city and treating me with the utmost respect over my three seasons in Everett. It truly felt like a second home for me. I'm forever grateful to the coaching staff for making me not only a better player but a better person. As I reflect on my hockey career I will always remember the boys. Nobody supported me more than my teammates. Through all the ups and downs they were always there for me. I'll forever bleed green. Thank you for all the memories."
Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson said: "Ian Walker competed for three seasons on our blue line with dignity, class, and a positive attitude that made a big impact with our team on and off the ice. We respect his decision to pursue a new opportunity in life and we're proud to support it with funds made possible by the WHL scholarship program. His role on our 2017-18 team that captured the Western Conference championship will always remain a part of Silvertips lore, and he will always be a part of our family."
Western Hockey League Stories from August 19, 2019
- Defenseman Ian Walker Retires to Pursue Academic Opportunity - Everett Silvertips
- 2019 Kamloops Blazers Training Camp Schedule & Rosters - Kamloops Blazers
- Tigers Announce Single Game Ticket Date - Medicine Hat Tigers
- 2019 Training Camp Roster - Tri-City Americans
- Meet the Ultimate Fans of the 2020 Memorial Cup Presented by Kia Kelowna - Kelowna Rockets
- Blazers Name Robbie Sandland Director of Player Personnel - Kamloops Blazers
- Giants Announce Contract Extensions for Terry Bonner and Daryl Anning - Vancouver Giants
- Hitmen Heading Outdoors for the Prairie Classic - Calgary Hitmen
- Oil Kings Announce 2019-20 Promotional Schedule - Edmonton Oil Kings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
