Capitals’ Nathan Walker gets phone call from Australian PM

Watch as Washington Capitals’ forward Nathan Walker gets credit for his first goal. The goal was originally credited to Devante Smith-Pelly. Walker’s family was in attendance from Australia and found out in a peculiar way.

The prime minister of Australia called up Washington Capitals forward Nathan Walker for a congratulatory Q&A, and the result was pretty great.

Walker became the first Australian to ever play in the NHL, making his debut with the Capitals on Saturday.

He even scored a goal, as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pointed out – “Well that’s fantastic,” he said – in a conversation that lasted three minutes and left Walker with quite a grin when it was over.

Turnbull seemed bemused at Walker’s unique path to the NHL. The winger moved to the Czech Republic at the age of 13 to pursue his hockey dream, eventually getting taken by the Capitals in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft (89th overall).

The 23-year-old Walker is currently on Washington’s fourth line with Jay Beagle and Devante Smith-Pelly.

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