Flames Prospect Profile: Walker Duehr

When Walker Duehr first stepped onto the Saddledome ice for the Flames training camp, fans and management did not think much of him. Now, after being one of the final cuts of the team’s main training camp roster, we all know his name. Attention and interest focused toward Duehr almost immediately, as he notched a goal and assist 21 seconds apart, during the Flames first of two rookie games. Since his opening night performance, Duehr has continued to pique our interest and has remained a bright light in many of the Flames preseason matchups. 

There must be something in the water of Mankato, Minnesota, as this is the second season in a row where a Minnesota State alumnus has almost cracked the Flames opening day roster. Last season, it was Connor Mackey and this season it is Walker Duehr. Since the beginning of Flames rookie camp, Duehr has been turning heads and taking the Flames training camp by storm. Duehr, who hails from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was a college free agent signed by the Flames in April of 2020. This wouldn’t be the first time the Flames have gone shopping in the NCAA prospect pool. While Duehr was the only college signing the Flames made last season, it certainly wasn’t their first. Two seasons ago, the Flames signed NCAA defensemen Connor Mackey and Colton Poolman to entry-level deals. As mentioned earlier, Mackey was pulled from Minnesota State, while Poolman was a senior at the University of North Dakota. Between the two defensemen, Mackey is the only one who has seen NHL ice so far, as he dressed for six games last season. On the other hand, Poolman spent the majority of last season in development with the Stockton Heat. Unlike Mackey, who was one of the bigger NCAA names up for grabs in 2020, Duehr was an off the board signing. During his NCAA stint, Duehr only posted 51 points (25 G, 25 A) in 102 career games and his highest total point season was a mere 17 points. While statistically, Duehr’s offensive numbers are average at best, it’s important to note that his point per game (PPG) production also rose every season he played with the Minnesota State Mavericks. That being said, it was not Duehr’s point production that drew attention from the Flames. The Flames were more interested in his style of play anyway.

At 6’2” and 212 Ibs, Duehr is the living definition of what Darryl Sutter wants in a hockey player. Duehr is a tough and determined power forward who is not afraid to lay the body or plant themselves in front of the net. This kind of player is indispensable to the Flames roster, who before this season, lacked a sense of strength, toughness, and grit. During his four-year tenure with Minnesota State University, Duehr has proved that he is the type of player to battle hard in the corners or drive the net for a scoring chance. With the Flames, Duehr is not expected to be on the scoresheet every game but has the potential to be an excellent 200-ft skater. Since Jarome Iginla, who was one of the best power forwards off all-time, was traded in 2013, the Flames have desperately needed a player to fill that power forward role. In 2014, Flames management believed Sam Bennett would fill ‘Iggy’s’ role perfectly, but we all know how that ended. Regardless of not being NHL ready just yet, Duehr has shown an immense amount of potential in the two rookie and seven preseason games he has played this year. And with a few seasons of development and training under Darryl Sutter, Walker Duehr could very well be the next great power forward for the Flames.

While we won’t be seeing Duehr right out of the regular season gates, we hope to see him make his NHL debut sometime this season. If what we have seen from Duehr is any indication of his future potential, we all should be incredibly excited for what is in store.

Walker Duehr. Remember the name, Flames fans. 

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