Utah Grizzlies Wrap Up and Leading Goal Scorer, Ryan Walters

With the Game Four sweep against San Jose last night, the Anaheim Ducks will have more time in the offseason to re-assess areas of the team that are in need of improvement. It’s important for them to keep a close eye on potential prospects that could give the team a better edge come the 2018-19 season.

For this week’s Prospect, we take a look at the Anaheim Ducks ECHL affiliate, the Utah Grizzlies. Our spotlight shines brightly on the 2017-’18 season leading scorer Ryan Walters. The 26-year-old Forward is a native of Rosemount, Minnesota.

During his formative college career, Walters spent four years playing for the University of Nebraska/Omaha appearing in 152 games. During which, he scored 50 goals and had 84 assists. In the 2012-’13 season, he was nominated as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, awarded to the most outstanding NCAA hockey player. Although he didn’t win, he was awarded the University’s Male Athlete of the Year.

After finishing college, Walters played two seasons in the AHL. He then played one season with the Alaska Aces before finding himself on the Utah Grizzlies roster. Walters has spent two of the last three seasons with the Grizzlies, interrupted by a short stint with the Rapid City Rush and the Yunost Minsk in Belarus before coming back to play for Utah. The Grizzlies were certainly glad to have him back this season. Walters led the team in both goals and assists.

In his 63 games this season, he earned 63 points, scoring 29 goals and adding 34 helpers.

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Potential For Fourth Line Development

His fortitude and speed are what set him apart on the ice. Walters has strong tenacity, which is paired with his outstanding speed. Moving forward, these are the kind of characteristics Anaheim should be looking for in prospective players. The playoffs were a sure sign that the Ducks need players who have the potential to put up points and score goals.

Walters age paired with his lack of NHL experience doesn’t make him a contender for a top-six spot in the lineup. However, not having a forth line that is trusted, hurt the Ducks this season. Anaheim could utilize a younger player, with a lot of speed, on their fourth line. He would be a good fit alongside other players like center Derek Grant and right winger J.T. Brown. Is it a coincidence that Ryan Walters plays the left wing position?

Walters could potentially be the key to help develop a strong fourth line for the Ducks.

A Disappointing End

Unfortunately, Walters and the Utah Grizzlies finished their season with no hope of making it into the playoffs. Finishing 6th in the Mountain Division, their season ended after 72 games. However, they ended their season with a big bang. They not only had a sellout game but shut out the Kansas City Mavericks 2-0.

Next: Ducks season ends on the wrong note.

Though the season ends in disappointment, they can only hope to take the offseason to regroup and come back better next year.

“I’m extremely disappointed in the outcome and this organization deserves better than that but we need to use this as motivation to ensure it never happens again. There will be quite a few things that we will address and things will come to fruition over the course of the next few months. Fans will see the effort that this organization is putting forth and they’ll be happy.” – Tim Branham, Grizzlies Head Coach and GM