Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Walman Likely Playing in Worlds . . . But For Who?

Published

1 year ago

April 20, 2023

Bob Duff

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman is playing it coy about where and when he’ll be playing hockey next.

“It’s not my media to announce,” Walman suggested when asked whether he’d be playing in the upcoming IIHF World Championship. “You’ll find out when the list comes out.”

Assuming the answer to the first query is yes, equally puzzling is which country’s uniform Walman will be donning.

Jake Walman ended the penguins pic.twitter.com/dwFjRp4Qxb

— blashdril (@blashdril) April 13, 2023

Walman’s father Glenn is Canadian. His mother Mary-Anne is American. That gives Walman, Canadian-born in Toronto, dual Canadian-American citizenship and eligibility to play for either nation.

He was in camp with USA Hockey for their world junior squad in 2016, but the IIHF ruled him ineligible since he didn’t meet the eligibility requirements.

Under IIHF regulations, you must live in a country for two consecutive years in order to play for that nation. At the time, he’d only been playing NCAA hockey with the Providence Friars for 16 months. Prior to that, Walman played all his hockey in Canada.

Red Wings Walman Has Sought To Play For USA And Canada

Next, Walman was extended an invitation to attend Canada’s world junior camp but didn’t make the squad due to injury. Just prior to the start of camp, he suffered a shoulder injury.

Walman did play for Canada East at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge but that doesn’t count as a full international appearance.

Residing in the USA while playing pro hockey since the start of the 2016-17 season brought an end to Walman’s eligibility issue as far as playing for Team USA is concerned.

Until he plays from one of these two countries, Walman remains eligible to suit up for both.

“Yeah, I guess until I step on the ice for one team, I can play on both,” Walman said, again being coy. “We’ll see in a week.”