Haslett native, Spartans defenseman Travis Walsh talks Red Wings development camp
By Nick Barnowski –
TRAVERSE CITY – After his junior season at Michigan State was cut short by a fractured jaw, Travis Walsh returned to the ice Friday wearing a different jersey.
The Haslett native and Spartan defenseman is participating in the annual Red Wings development camp this week, trading in the green and white for the winged wheel.
“It’s been a great experience being on the ice with such great players,” Walsh said following Sunday’s practice. There are really great players here from all over the world – unbelievable Swedish, Russian and Canadian kids.”
The 22-year-old was in Maine when he got the invite to camp and scrambled to make it to Traverse City. Walsh said he had learned he would possibly be invited following MSU’s game against Michigan at Joe Louis in March.
“When I was hurt at the end of the season someone talked to me about possibly coming to camp,” he said. “I got the call three or four days before the camp started, so I had to get a flight out here real quick. It was very exciting.”
The Michigan State senior said he feels he’s fitting in well through three days of instruction on and off the ice. His jaw, which he fractured while blocking a shot against Minnesota on Feb. 26, is feeling well enough to no longer require a full face-shield. With that not hampering his ability, Walsh said he’s happy with his play.
“I feel like I’m a smart defenseman so I can make plays out there,” he said. “I don’t seem to have a problem keeping up and moving the puck quickly. I feel like I’m doing pretty well.”
The grandson of legendary MSU coach Ron Mason, Walsh is more than ready to pick up where he left off before last season’s injury. Even though he missed the final six games of the year, Walsh led all MSU defenseman in points with 14, a career high. He finished second on Michigan State in blocked shots with 63 and was voted second team all-Big Ten.
Walsh said both he and MSU need to take another step forward this season. The Spartans will lose defenseman Ron Boyd to graduation, while fellow blueliners Josh Jacobs (Sarnia Sting) and Brock Krygier (Arizona State) left the school. In their absence, Walsh is looking forward to stepping up his game, especially on offense.
“I think it’s time for me to take a bigger role on the power play,” Walsh said. “I just want to step up my offensive game and start helping the team out in that regard and play some good defense.”
Until the tutelage of Red Wings coaches and executives at development camp, the process has already begun.
“Ken Holland gave a really good talk with us the first day we were here,” Walsh said. “He talked about work ethic and character and how to be a pro. I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned. You can’t skip a day, you’ve got to give it all you can because there are thousands of kids just as good as you trying to take those spots.”
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