Former Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman held a conference call with reporters yesterday afternoon, and the now-San Jose Sharks defender told the Hockey News’s Max Miller that he found out he was traded while traveling to the NHLPA meetings in Las Vegas, Nevada…
When he found out he had been traded, Walman was on his way to Las Vegas for NHLPA meetings as the Detroit Red Wings representative. When GM Steve Yzerman called, Walman said he knew the only reason was that he had been traded.
“He didn’t really have any reason to call me other than, I guess, to tell me I was traded,” Walman said. “It started off [with], how was my summer going and then waiting for him to get to the point, and when he told me, it was almost like a little bit surreal. I didn’t think that trade was in the equation, but it almost felt like a dream. Once it kind of settled in my head, I called my family and told them. I called my brother and my best friends, and off I was with my thoughts.”
But Walman is optimistic about joining the Sharks…
Walman said he is excited to play in San Jose after taking time to let the trade settle in his head. He still went to Las Vegas and ran into Joe Thornton. Walman said the “vibe” around the Sharks excited him.
“I’ve always said I want to play where I feel wanted,” Walman explained. “I just really got vibes from Mike Grier and everyone. I’m a vibey person, and you can’t compare that feeling.”
And San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng also posted some Tweets from Walman’s conference call:
Walman says he was in Las Vegas as Red Wings' representative for NHLPA meetings, so he met both Macklin Celebrini and Joe Thornton for the first time there
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) July 3, 2024
Walman says he told Celebrini, about the Griddy (which he does in part for charity): "We're gotta start growing the game…have some celebrations."
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) July 3, 2024
Walman, on why he's so excited to join #SJSharks rebuild: "I want to play where I feel wanted…I just really got good vibes [from Grier & Warsofsky]. I'm a vibey person…that feeling of being wanted as a hockey player…you can't compare that to anything."
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) July 3, 2024
Walman met Celebrini after #SJSharks made him No. 1 pick: "He's pumped. I'm really excited that he's going to bring some high energy. Same with [Smith]."
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) July 3, 2024
Does that sound like a player who's going back to college?
Walman really loved playing for ex-#SJSharks head coach Bob Boughner in Detroit: "He really helped me in a lot of different ways. He thinks the game really well…A lot of coaches that I've gone through, but I would say Boogie was definitely up there as one of my favorites."
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) July 3, 2024
Ironically…
Walman has high praise for David Perron for doing what it takes to win. #SJSharks
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) July 3, 2024
