He started playing junior hockey with the Langley Hornets of the BCHL in 2000-2001 where he scored 8 goals and had 22 assists for 30 points, and was a member of the Silver Medal-2inning Team Pacific at the 2001 World U17 Championships. In 2002, he entered the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and for the next three years, he evolved into a goal-scorer for the Riverhawks, a member Hockey East, the top collegiate conference in the country. At UMass-Lowell, the 6-0, 185-pound center scored 49 goals and added 41 assists for 90 points.
In 2004, he was selected in the fifth round (the 160th overall pick) by the Boston Bruins, but played one last year at UMass-Lowell, where he established himself as one of the better forwards in Hockey East, finishing the season with 26 goals and 13 assists for 29 points. He was a Hobey Baker Award top 10 finalist.
For the 2005-06 season, Walter turned pro and signed with the Bruins. He played most of the season with the Providence Bruins, and was a key member of the P-Bruins’ power-play unit. He scored 16 goals and added 23 assists for 40 points for the P-Bruins. That year he also got a brief call-up to Boston.
The next season, he again had a superlative year for Providence, earning the team MVP award. He finished second on the team in scoring with 24 goals and 43 assists (67 points) in 73 games. He was also the team’s plus/minus leader with a rating of +23. Walter had four game-winning goals on the season and two overtime goals. He was much improved in many areas, particularly in his decision-making, and again got a brief call-up with the parent Boston Bruins.
Acquired by the New York Islanders prior to the start of the 2007-08 season along with a conditional second-round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft from Boston for Petteri Nokelainen, the Islanders expect big things in the long run from Ben Walter. But while he does his time working on improving his skills at the highest minor league level, it is the fans in Bridgeport who will get to enjoy watching Walter develop.
Ben Walter: Over the summer my parent’s home is really close to the beach in British Columbia. I enjoy swimming and just relaxing to take my mind off the stresses of the hockey season. I also play a lot of guitar and I’m slowly getting better. My mother always had Bruce Springsteen playing so now I am a big fan. I like to play a couple of his songs.
ICS: What is the best memory that you have from your father playing for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL.
Walter: I grew up with hockey around all around me because my father, Ryan played for the Montreal Canadiens. I remember going onto the ice before the team would practice and skating with my father. Sometimes Patrick Roy would hop on the ice and jump in goal for some of my shots. I scored a couple of times on him, but guaranteed he let me. My father was my favorite player because he was where I wanted to eventually end up, in the NHL.
ICS: Name something about yourself that people would be surprised to find out.
Walter: I grew up in a household with two brother and two sisters. I am the oldest of the five.
ICS: What bad habits do you have?
Walter: I bite my nails.
ICS: If you weren’t playing hockey, what would you be doing?
Walter: I would definitely be involved with animals. I lived close to the beach as a kid and loved the water. The animals in the ocean intrigue me so maybe a marine biologist.
ICS: What is your biggest pet peeve?
Walter: I cannot stand people who dress their dogs up in clothes and people who interupt me when I am speaking.
ICS: Do you have any superstitions?
THE BEN WALTER FILE