Walker leaves legacy of compassion
Kurt Walker, who transformed from hard-knuckle Maple Leaf to compassionate advocate for NHL players struggling with retirement issues, has died.
The 64-year-old Weymouth, Mass., native died Friday after a brief illness.
Many players who benefitted from the non-profit Dignity After Hockey weighed in with online tributes, as did those who simply admired him for taking on such a difficult task.
Walker’s efforts to improve the lives of former mates began nearly a decade ago, starting with a web page. From there he was able to open doors to affordable health care, including stem cell research.
“It has been a long-standing tradition in hockey to protect a teammate when he needs help,” read Dignity After Hockey’s mission statement.
“Unfortunately, many players, long since departed from the game, still require help with financial and medical problems.”
Walker and his group were heavily involved in concussion research and its effects on past NHLers.
Walker played through many injuries in his role and required several surgeries after his playing days.
“When you’re young, you feel invincible,” Walker told journalist Josh Kloke.
“You think you can do whatever you want and nothing will bother you. I sustained more injuries than most players. But at that age, you never think about the ramifications after the game.
“I remember getting a few head shots, going to the bench, the trainer would talk to you and you’d be in a fog. You’d get a little smelling salt, take a bit of a rest, but there was still so much peer pressure.”
Walker played 71 games for Toronto, including rough-and-tumble playoff series against the Flyers and the Islanders in the late 1970s.
“My dream was to play 12 to 15 to minutes a night, but I found most of my time I was sitting on the bench getting one or two shifts,” said Walker. “But through all of that, I never forgot what got me there.”