Walker, whose NHL career totaled 829 games and 379 career points, spent the last five seasons as head coach of the OHL’s Guelph Storm. He brings podium experience to his role, having served as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Junior Team when it won gold in 2015 and bronze in 2012, and with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team during its gold-medal performance at the 2012 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament. Walker takes over from Jamie Kompon, who has had to step down due to conflicting commitments.

The 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge runs Oct. 30-Nov. 7, 2015, and will bring together the top players in the world born in 1999 or later. The under-17 program is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. Many players who compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge go on to represent Canada with the National Men’s Under-18 Team, National Junior Team and National Men’s Team.

For more information on the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wu17, or follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/worldu17 or www.twitter.com/hc_wu17.