This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance.(September 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Walz was drafted 57th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1989 NHL entry draft. At the time, he was playing for the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL), a team for which he played two seasons, playing 119 games and scoring 83 goals and 161 assists for 244 points. For the next seven seasons, Walz played in the secondary American Hockey League (AHL). He averaged over one point per game in the AHL and was named MVP of the 1996 AHL All-Star Game. Walz scored his first NHL goal on February 20, 1990, in Boston's 5-3 win at Calgary. He scored a career-high 38 points in 53 games for the Calgary Flames in 1993–94, but in 1996, he left North America to play in Switzerland's National League A (NLA).[1]
After four seasons in Switzerland, Walz returned to the NHL, signing a contract with expansion franchise Minnesota Wild. During training camp for the Wild, Wild Head Coach Jacques Lemaire dubbed Walz his designated checker, placing him on the checking line. This was a turning point in Walz's career, as he became not only a full-time NHL player with Minnesota, but also one of the league's best defensive forwards. In his first season back, Walz played all 82 regular season games, scoring 18 goals, 7 of which were shorthanded. When the Wild made the playoffs in 2003, Walz played a major role in helping the team get to the Western Conference Finals, scoring 7 goals and 6 assists in 18 games.[citation needed]
On December 1, 2007, the Wild held a press conference during which Walz announced his retirement.[2] Walz retired as the franchise's leader in all-time games played at that time.
Coaching career
In June 2008, Walz signed a three-year contract to become an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, under Head Coach Barry Melrose.[3] Though Melrose was fired only 16 games into his tenure with the Lightning,[4] Walz was retained as a member of the coaching staff under new Head Coach Rick Tocchet. During his tenure in Tampa Bay, Tocchet asked Walz to personally tutor former number one draft pick Steven Stamkos.[5] In an interview, Stamkos told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "It was pretty special that he took the time to work with me and make me a better player, and I'm thankful for it."[6][7]
In February 2010, Lightning general manager Brian Lawton informed Walz he was being replaced by Jim Johnson, then Head Coach of the Lightning's AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. In turn, Lawton offered Walz the opportunity to take Johnson's place as Head Coach of the Admirals. When Walz declined due to family reasons, Lawton dismissed him from the organization.[8] Later, it was revealed Lawton made the change without consulting Tocchet.[9]
Since 2023, Walz has worked as a sports analyst on Fox Sports North for the Minnesota Wild. He and his wife Kerry-Anne[10] have five children: Kelvin,[11] Jaedyn,[11] Brehna,[11] Cheyne,[12] and Wrexyn.[12]
Walz volunteered as Head Coach with the Raptors of East Ridge High School in Woodbury, Minnesota. There he coached his son, Kelvin, on the boys Varsity ice hockey team, and a few years later he coached his daughter, Jaedyn, on the girls Varsity hockey team. In 2017, after 3 years of coaching Walz resigns from East Ridge citing he wanted to spend more time with his family at home.[13]
