3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #8

Jive

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8. Wes Walz – C

7 Seasons,  438 Games,  82 Goals,  100 Assists,  182 Points

Eighth on the 3ITB Top 33 is Wes Walz.  One of the hardest working guys in hockey, Walz came to the Wild from the Swiss League where he played after being bounced around NHL teams and the AHL for years.  Always giving everything that he had as a member of the inaugural Wild team, he helped the Wild advance all the way to the conference finals in that magical 2003 playoff run.

An original iron man for the Wild Walz played in 438 games over the 7 seasons that he spent with the Wild.  He was no stranger to the score sheet, often finding ways to get the puck across the goal line even when the Wild were short handed.  Walz is the all time Wild leader in short handed goals having scored 14 of them during his time with the Wild.

After retiring from the Wild Walz went on to coach in Tampa Bay where he mentored Steven Stamkos helping him become the great player that he is today.  Walz continues to be a big part of the Minnesota hockey community coaching the East Ridge Girl’s hockey team and hosting his own hockey camp teaching the game of hockey to today’s youth.

Previously on our list:

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