From Springville Journal
By Mark Jagord
The ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) wrapped up its 2024 playoffs at the Division I level last week with the Adrian (Mich.) Bulldogs crowned as champions.
For Springville grad Garrett Walker, he was instrumental in moving his Robert Morris Colonials to the second round of the playoffs after scoring a pair of goals against Mercyhurst. Walker’s second tally sent the game to overtime with teammate Keith Reed scoring the OT winner and advancing the Colonials to the next round.
Unfortunately, that proved to be the playoff highlight for the Colonials after they were eliminated in the next playoff game in a 4-2 loss to John Carroll University to end the season for Robert Morris.
Each of Walker’s playoff goals came with helpers from his new line mates in Connor Moran and Anthony Chiaramonte. The new line was formed early in the second semester and has provided a lot of spark for the Colonials. The line holds the fourth, sixth and eighth scoring spots on the team with all three set to return next season and take charge.
“We’ve really clicked during the second part of the season and with the players we’ll lose to graduation, I hope that we’re the top line next season,” Walker said.
The former leader of the ELPS (Eden-Lake Shore-Pioneer-Springville) club high school hockey team’s playoff run from two seasons ago, Walker is just starting to find his niche at the division 1 college level after setting career highs in goals, assists and points during this past season.
“His scoring and leadership are irreplaceable. He and his older brother have been a huge part of the (ELPS) program’s success,” ELPS head ice hockey coach Michael Mecca said just prior to Walker’s last season.
Walker finished as a top-10 scorer on his team with nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in about a 30-game schedule that included playoffs. The news and sports communication major’s best game statistically came early in the season when he recorded three helpers against Syracuse University.
The Colonials finished third in the College Hockey Mid-America Division with a 7-5 division record and finished 16-15 overall. Robert Morris was just one of three teams (Indiana University of Pennsylvania and John Carroll) to register a winning division record in the CHMA (College Hockey Mid-America) of its seven teams. Robert Morris had its highest national ranking early in the season at about No. 30.
The ACHA D1 men’s field consists of 70-plus teams and is just one of three men’s divisions. The women have two divisions. Overall, the ACHA has about 460 teams with 13,000 skaters.
(Originally published at https://www.springvillejournal.com/articles/walker-ready-to-take-college-hockey-team-to-next-level/)
