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Brandon, MB. -- The 2012-13 hockey season will continue for at least one member of the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings.
Veteran defenceman Nick Walters is off to Peoria later today where he will join the Rivermen for the balance of the American Hockey League season.
Story at Brandon Wheat Kings website.
Blues defense prospect Nick Walters (4th rnd 2012 NHL Draft) is on way to AHL Peoria. Will fly in Mon and practice Tues. #blues #pjsrivs
— Dave Eminian (@icetimecleve) March 24, 2013
This move also may have ramifications for the organizational future of Brett "Tree" Ponich. The 6' 7, 225-pound Ponich was assigned to Alaska of the ECHL on Mar. 19, following the arrival of 2010 draft pick Jani Hakanpää in Peoria. A few days later, veteran defenseman Mark Cundari suffered a knee injury during Peoria's 3-0 win over the Chicago Wolves on Mar. 23.
That the Blues decided to bring the junior-age Walters in for a look-see during Cundari's absence, rather than returning Ponich from Alaska, could signal that the Blues have made up their minds about Ponich's future. Next year will be the final year of Ponich's ELC, and he has already spent some time in Evansville earlier this season.
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Nick WALTERS | ||||||||||
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| D, shoots L. 6' 2, 200 lbs. Born 04-11-94, Edmonton, Alberta. |  |
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| STL 5th pick (106th overall) in 2012. | |||||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | (LEAGUE) | GP | GL | AS | PT | +/- | PM | PP | SH | GW |
| 2012-13 | Everett (WHL) | 35 | 1 | 9 | 10 | -19 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2012-13 | Brandon (WHL) | 29 | 0 | 9 | 9 | -15 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2012-13 | ... WHL TOTALS | 64 | 1 | 18 | 19 | -34 | 106 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2012-13 | Peoria (AHL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |