The Chicago Wolves announced Wednesday that defenseman Jake Walman has signed an amateur tryout contract (ATO) with the club.
After concluding his collegiate career at Providence College – the Friars lost to Harvard University in the East Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament on March 24 – Walman signed an entry-level NHL contract with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.
Through three seasons at Providence, Walman collected 21 goals and 48 assists for 69 points in 107 career games. The 21-year-old was the Friars’ top-scoring defenseman during the 2016-17 season with seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points and was named to the Hockey East First All-Star Team.
As a freshman in 2014-15, Walman helped the Friars earn their first NCAA National Championship.
Prior to college, the Toronto native skated one season (2013-14) in the Ontario Junior A Hockey League for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. The 6’1”, 200-pound blueliner tallied seven goals and 26 assists for 33 points in 43 games. His efforts earned him OJHL Rookie of the Year.
Walman will be eligible to travel with the team on Friday (March 31) to Wells Fargo Arena to kick off this weekend’s 3-in-3 against the Iowa Wild. The game is at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on The U Too – as will Sunday’s 4 p.m. bout with the Charlotte Checkers – in the Chicago area.
On Saturday (April 1), the Wolves return home to Allstate Arena to close out their season series with the reigning Calder Cup champion Cleveland Monsters. Game time is 7 p.m., and the contest will air live on CW50. The first 5,000 fans will receive a set of Wolves trading cards, courtesy of Vienna Beef.
The weekend concludes on Sunday (April 2) with a 4 p.m. game against Charlotte. The first 2,500 fans will receive a Brett Sterling bobblehead, courtesy of CW50. For more information about upcoming Wolves home games or the 2017 Calder Cup Playoff race, visit ChicagoWolves.com.
Header image credit: Chris Emerson/Providence College Athletics
