Jake Walman
From the Toronto Jr. Canadiens to the NHL via Providence College, a journey defined by resilience and overtime heroics.
Jake Walman is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. Born on February 20, 1996, in Toronto, Ontario, he was originally drafted by the St. Louis Blues with the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. After a collegiate career at Providence College, Walman turned professional in 2017. His journey has taken him through stints with the Blues and Detroit Red Wings before his recent trade to San Jose and subsequent move to Edmonton in March 2025.
- Draft Year
- 2014
- Round
- 3rd
- Pick
- 82nd Overall
- Position
- Defenceman
- Current Team
- Edmonton Oilers
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Walman's path to the NHL began with junior hockey for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens before he committed to Providence College in Hockey East. He was selected 82nd overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2014 but concluded his collegiate career early on March 28, 2017, signing a three-year entry-level contract. He made his NHL debut during the 2019–20 season, recording four goals and four assists in 57 games over three seasons with St. Louis. A defining moment for Walman occurred while playing for the Detroit Red Wings on December 28 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After Detroit trailed 4–0, he scored the overtime-winning goal and celebrated by performing the Griddy dance, a moment that went viral. This performance helped him secure a three-year, $10.2 million contract extension signed on February 28, 2023.
In Their Own Story
Walman's international aspirations faced early hurdles due to eligibility rules. Although he attended training camp for the United States men's national junior team in preparation for the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, he was ruled ineligible by the IIHF for not meeting the requirement of playing two consecutive seasons in the country. Despite living in Providence, Rhode Island, for 16 months, his time there overlapped with his second season in the US, leading to a denied appeal from USA Hockey. He later accepted an invitation to join the Canadian national team for the 2023 IIHF World Championship but was forced to withdraw due to an upper-body injury prior to the tournament's start. Professionally, he moved through trades on March 21, 2022, to Detroit alongside Oskar Sundqvist and a second-round pick in exchange for Nick Leddy and Luke Witkowski.
Reader's Guide
Fans following Walman should note his specific trade history and contract details. On August 11, 2022, he was re-signed by the Red Wings as a restricted free agent to a one-year, $1.05 million extension for the 2022–23 season after returning from injured reserve. His role expanded significantly during that season, playing alongside Moritz Seider. On June 25, 2024, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks along with a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft for future considerations. Most recently, on March 6, 2025, he joined the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Carl Berglund and a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Off the ice, Walman holds American citizenship through his mother, Mary-Anne, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and is Jewish; his mother's uncle was Jake LaMotta.
Did You Know?
- Walman holds dual citizenship, being Canadian by birth and American through his mother.
- He is related to famous boxer Jake LaMotta, who was his mother's uncle.
- Walman scored an overtime winner against the Pittsburgh Penguins after Detroit trailed 4–0, then celebrated with the Griddy dance.
- He was ruled ineligible for the US national junior team because he did not play two consecutive seasons in the country.