Daniel Walcott hit the ice in training camp this week, ready to enter his 11th season.
However, for the first time in a decade, he did not wear a Syracuse crunch jersey.
“It's actually very interesting,” Walcott said. “I think I'm a rookie again.”
The 31-year-old forward was taken away by the New York Rangers in the fifth round of the 2014 draft and played a game on the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2014-15 at the end of his junior career. Since then, Walcott has recorded 494 AHL games – all members of Crunch.
Walcott, who became a fan favorite of Syracuse's eight-time campaign run, entered unknown territory this summer when he became a free agent.
Walcott's eyes stared at a new destination, turning to the connection he made during the pandemic 2020-21 season – in that season, the Checkers opted out of the game, while Crunch took over players and staff in both the Panthers and Lightning.
“The year Florida and Tampa sent their guys to Syracuse, I kind of felt like what the organization was,” he said. “It was my first time when I was a free agent because it was where I wanted to be.”
Inviting the Panthers Training Camp invitation, Walcott joined the Checkers as a professional selection (PTO) and hoped to fit into the environment head coach Geordie Kinnear created on his team.
“I’m proud to work hard and work the right way,” Walcott said. “I think this organization — especially here in Charlotte — is what they preach. Work hard on the details and go all out.”
In lineage, Walcott has built a comprehensive resume during the AHL – with 147 points (56g, 91A) and 568 minutes of free throw minutes in 495 games and won the 2023-24 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as the Community Middle-Year League Person of the Year.
“I have a positive attitude on the ice and on the ice,” Walcott said to what he could bring. “Work hard – face down, do the work. I like to play, so throw the body a little bit. That's what they expect from me, just be myself, play hard.”
After witnessing what the Panthers and Checkers can build from a distance, Walcott's hope is to win a cup for himself in the team's drive.
“Win culture,” Walcott said. “That's what I want to be part of here. I haven't won a career title yet.
As the camp advances and the battle on the roster intensifies, the veteran has been embracing this new challenge for a decade in his career.
“It's really a breath of fresh air,” Walcott said. “I love Syracuse, but it's new. I can start over so to speak. It's fun. My family loves it here. So far, everything is fine.”
