NHL
Former Leafs Enforcer Kurt Walker Dead at 64
Retired-player advocate and former Toronto Maple Leafs player Kurt Walker passed away Friday night after a short illness. He played 71 games in the NHL and founded Dignity After Hockey. The charity’s focus is to assist former players facing medical struggles following their professional careers.
Seven Seasons
Walker played with the Leafs for portions of three seasons during 1975-78. In his 71 NHL games, he totaled four goals and five assists. Walker previously joked that he wasn’t considered a Lady Byng player, accruing 152 penalty minutes during his NHL tenure.
His seven total seasons playing professional hockey were split between five different leagues and 10 teams. Most of Walker’s years were spent in the American Hockey League (AHL) and Central Hockey League (CHL). He had 17 goals and 36 points with the Tulsa Oilers in the CHL during 1978-79, but this was a record year and not indicative of his play overall.
Being an enforcer is tough on the body and Walker wasn’t immune. His injuries during those penalty-filled seasons added up to 17 surgeries as a result. His personal experience with medical difficulties influenced him to set up the non-profit organization.
Advocacy Work
Dignity After Hockey aims to help those who are struggling medically or financial due to their time playing. The NHL pension plan often isn’t enough to cover healthcare costs of those players with long-term injuries. Dignity After Hockey places a large focus on joint, soft tissue and nerve issues, but it does extend to those dealing with the aftermath of concussions.
The NHL in the 1970s was different from what it’s like today. There is currently an emphasis on less contact, even though physicality hasn’t been entirely removed from the game. The 1970’s play style had fewer rules regarding hits and a less strict protocol on concussion evaluation.
“When you’re young, you feel invincible. You think you can do whatever you want and nothing will bother you.” Walker said. “I sustained more injuries than most players. But at that age you never think about the ramifications of after the game.”
Concussions can cause cognitive and neurological decline, as well as mental health problems like depression. There is no denying the effect on players’ lives following retirement. According to Reuters, former players were denied class-action status on July 13 for their concussion lawsuit against the league. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman does not intend to settle with former players like the NFL did with a similar lawsuit back in 2013.
Follow Jess on Twitter: @jmstarr_
