Jake Walman Bio
Jake Walman (born February 20, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). A mobile, offensive-minded blue-liner, Walman was selected 82nd overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2014 NHL entry draft and has since skated for the Blues, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, and Edmonton Oilers. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing roughly 218 pounds, he brings a skating-driven, puck-moving game to the Oilers’ defensive group.
Jake Walman Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Walman signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues on March 28, 2017, concluding his collegiate career at Providence College early after his junior season. He spent time developing within the Blues’ system before earning his NHL debut during the 2019–20 season. Across three seasons in St. Louis, Walman appeared in 57 games and registered four goals and four assists, gradually adjusting to the pace and physicality of the professional game.
Detroit Red Wings Breakthrough (2022–2024)
On March 21, 2022, Walman was traded to the Detroit Red Wings as part of a package that sent Oskar Sundqvist and a 2023 second-round pick to the Blues in exchange for Nick Leddy and Luke Witkowski. After opening the 2022–23 season on injured reserve, he returned to a larger role and was paired alongside fellow defenceman Moritz Seider. On December 28, 2022, Walman scored the overtime-winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins after Detroit had trailed 4–0, a dramatic comeback that he celebrated with the now-viral Griddy dance.
His play in Detroit led to a three-year, $10.2 million contract extension on February 28, 2023, a sign of the organization’s belief in his long-term potential. Walman continued to quarterback the Red Wings’ power play and contribute at both ends of the ice, cementing himself as a fixture on the team’s blue line before being moved again.
San Jose Sharks Stint (2024–2025)
On June 25, 2024, Walman was traded to the San Jose Sharks along with a 2024 second-round pick in exchange for future considerations. His stay in San Jose was brief, as the club looked to continue reshaping its roster around young assets and draft capital.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2025–Present)
On March 6, 2025, Walman was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in a deal that sent Carl Berglund and a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL entry draft to San Jose. The move placed Walman on a contending roster expected to make a deep playoff push, where his skating and puck-moving traits fit the Oilers’ up-tempo style.
Driving Style and Strengths
Walman is recognized as a smooth-skating, transition-oriented defenceman who excels at moving the puck out of his own zone. He reads the play well in the offensive zone, joins the rush when appropriate, and contributes on the power play with his strong shot and confident puck distribution. His partnership with Moritz Seider in Detroit highlighted his ability to thrive alongside a top-pairing partner, and his Griddy-celebrated overtime winner underscored the swagger he brings to big moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Walman’s overtime goal against Pittsburgh on December 28, 2022, ranks as the signature moment of his career to date, capping a 4–0 comeback and producing one of the season’s most memorable celebrations. Being drafted 82nd overall in 2014, signing a $10.2 million extension with Detroit in 2023, and being dealt to Edmonton in March 2025 represent the other key milestones that have shaped his professional path.
Jake Walman Path to Hockey
Early Life and Background
Walman was born on February 20, 1996, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is Jewish. He holds American citizenship through his mother, Mary-Anne, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, which gave him dual national status from an early age. Walman’s great-uncle on his mother’s side was the late boxer Jake LaMotta, a connection that links his family to one of the most storied figures in combat sports history.
Growing up in the Toronto area, Walman was immersed in a region with a deep hockey culture, and he developed his game in local youth circuits before reaching the junior level. The combination of Canadian hockey roots and time spent in the United States during his teenage years shaped a dual-identity upbringing that would later play a role in his international eligibility.
Path to the NHL
Walman played junior hockey with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) before committing to Providence College of the Hockey East conference. Prior to his freshman season with the Friars, he was selected 82nd overall in the third round of the 2014 NHL entry draft by the St. Louis Blues, validating his development path and setting the stage for his transition to the professional ranks.
After three collegiate seasons, Walman signed his entry-level deal with the Blues in March 2017 and began working his way up through the organization’s system. His progression from OJHL standout to NCAA contributor to NHL regular reflects a steady, multi-step climb rather than a single breakout moment.
Jake Walman International Play
Walman’s dual citizenship made him a sought-after prospect on the international stage. He attended the United States men’s national junior ice hockey team’s training camp ahead of the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships but was ruled ineligible by the IIHF, which requires two consecutive seasons of play in a country to represent its national team. Despite a denied appeal by USA Hockey, Walman was invited to the Canadian national junior team’s selection camp, though he did not make the final roster.
In 2023, Walman accepted an invitation to join the Canadian national team at the IIHF World Championship, only to withdraw before the tournament due to an upper-body injury.
Jake Walman Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Walman’s mother, Mary-Anne, is from Providence, Rhode Island, and is a niece of boxing legend Jake LaMotta, giving the defenceman a direct link to one of the most recognizable names in American sports history. While his family is best known publicly for this boxing connection, Walman himself has built an identity rooted firmly in hockey.
Personal Life
Walman is Jewish and holds both Canadian and American citizenship, having spent formative years in both countries. He is a native of Toronto, Ontario, and has continued to live a relatively private personal life, with public details about a spouse or children not widely confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Walman joined the Edmonton Oilers on March 6, 2025, mid-season, and slotted into a contending roster with designs on a deep playoff run. The trade to Edmonton paired him with a high-end forward group and a team accustomed to playing fast, possession-driven hockey, an environment that aligns well with his skill set. His ability to move the puck and contribute offensively gave the Oilers another option on the back end as they pushed toward the postseason.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Walman’s role figures to grow as he becomes more familiar with Edmonton’s systems and special-teams units. With a contract that runs through the 2024–25 season and beyond, he has a clear opportunity to establish himself as a long-term piece of the Oilers’ blue line. His track record of bouncing back from adversity, including a dramatic 4–0 comeback win in Detroit, suggests he is well-equipped to handle the pressure of a Canadian market with high expectations.