Sammy Walker

Classroom

Walker is pursuing a communications degree at Minnesota. He was named a 2020-21 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and AHCA All-American Scholar. He is also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, earning the award each year he has been eligible.

Walker helped the Gophers post a 3.35 cumulative GPA in the Fall of 2020 and Spring of 2020 and a 3.30 cumulative GPA in Fall of 2021, which were the three best academic performances in program history.

Character

Minnesota’s recipient of the 2022 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, Walker is a three-time team captain for the Gophers - the first in the program’s 101-year history.

He received Minnesota’s Elwin “Doc” Romnes Leadership & Sportsmanship Award in 2020-21.

Community

Walker received Minnesota’s Donald M. Clark Community Service Award in 2020-21 for his diligence in the community.

He participates in the annual Big Ten Movember competition along with his teammates. Walker also volunteers in Gopher Hockey’s annual Teddy Bear Toss, which benefits the Masonic Children’s Hospital.

In addition, Walker volunteers with Minnesota’s pen pal program, the annual Skate with the Gophers program, the Rink Roots program and works at multiple youth hockey camps during the year.

Competition

Walker, a three-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, is Minnesota’s active-leading scorer and led the Gophers to the 2021-22 Big Ten Regular-Season Championship.

He also led the Gophers to the 2021 Big Ten tournament title while earning all-tournament honors and helped Minnesota to its first NCAA tournament berth since 2017 and first NCAA tournament win since 2014.

He received Minnesota’s John Mariucci Most Valuable Player Award in 2019-20 and the Frank Pond Rookie of the Year Award in 2018-19. Walker was named the 2018-19 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was also selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

Walker was selected in the seventh round (200th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.