New Jersey 16U forward Walker makes NCAA DI commitment
March 25, 2014
The New Jersey Jr. Titans of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) are pleased to announce that 16U forward Ryan Walker has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Union College. Union plays in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC).
Walker, 16, set new scoring records this season in the NAPHL. Walker became the first player in NAPHL history to eclipse the 50-point plateau in a season.
The native of Spotswood, New Jersey, not only led the 16U Division in scoring, but the entire NAPHL as well. Walker (5’10/155) set a new five-year league record for scoring with a total of 76 points in just 20 NAPHL games this season. His 47 assists were also a new NAPHL record, and his 29 goals ranks second all-time among NAPHL players.
Walker played in the inaugural NAPHL 16U All-Star Game this past season in December during the NAPHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota, where he had a goal and an assist in the game.
Earlier this season, Walker signed an NAHL tender with the Amarillo Bulls. He was twice named as the Franklin Virtual Schools 16U Offensive Peak Performer this season.
New Jersey head coach George Haviland remarked, “Ryan is a real special kid. He has worked very hard and will work harder to capitalize on the opportunity he has earned. It’s a great day for the program and we congratulate him. Anybody that knows the Jr. Titan family loves Ryan and recognizes what a great teammate he is."
In the future, Walker will join a Union team that is currently the #1 ranked college hockey team in the country. The Dutchmen (26-6-4), coming off their third-straight Whitelaw Cup title, moved into the top spot in the USCHO.com poll after spending two weeks in the No. 2 position. Union has spent 15 weeks in the top 10, and is holding steady at No. 2 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll. The Division I program has won the ECAC Conference 3 years in a row, and is the number one seed in the East Regional of the NCAA tournament.
