Walman opens up about big personality, video games, and Edmonton Oilers experience so far
Jake Walman is still adjusting to life with the Edmonton Oilers since being traded to the team on the eve of the NHL trade deadline.
Walman has now played six games with the Oilers and has looked as advertised, with a knack for moving the puck up the ice and helping Edmonton’s big guns get on the attack more often.
It has, however, been a whirlwind for the 29-year-old as he has only played two games in Edmonton since the trade. For the rest of his time, the Oilers have been on the road.
Offside was able to chat with Walman a bit about the transition from sunny San Jose to Edmonton after this morning’s practice, something that fellow Oilers player Ty Emberson also had to do last summer.
There are a few sacrifices that Walman had to make leaving his California residence for the Alberta capital. Though he was a Toronto native, it wasn’t all that foreign for him.
“I had a pool at my place in San Jose,” Walman smiled. “I don’t think I’ll have that here right now.
“[In San Jose] waking up we don’t have to warm our car up or anything. It’s always sunny, and you’re in flip-flops half the time, so a little bit of a transition. I gotta get my winter clothes back out, but other than that, it’s pretty normal.”
Walman is currently living out of an Edmonton hotel but plans on finding a temporary space sometime soon. A long-term solution will hopefully come in the summer, as he is signed with the Oilers through next season.
Aside from his puck-moving acumen, Walman also brought a big personality to the Oilers locker room. He made headlines last season with his iconic “griddy” celebration with the Detroit Red Wings.
When the trade was announced, Oilers fans immediately started sharing the video of the celebration on social media.
Jake Walman with the penalty shot OT winner + griddy combo, Red Wings win 4-3!#LGRW pic.twitter.com/a1IKFldHq8
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 10, 2024
NHL players are known for laying low when it comes to showing off personalities, but Walman said that he is just trying to have fun with the game.
“I’ve toned it down a little bit as I’ve gotten a little older,” Walman admitted. “At some point, it’s just a game. You play it because you love it, and I know there are guys that have personality, and it’s great to show it off because I feel like hockey has been a pretty suit-and-tie type of league.
“I think it’s good. Certain guys have shown personality with what they wear, being honest in interviews, just kind of showing the human side of it. That’s honestly all I’ve kind of tried to do, just show a little bit of the human side.”
Walman revealed on a recent After Hours segment that he is also a big fan of video games, with Fortnite being his favourite. When asked if he’d be joining the Oilers Mario Kart players, he wasn’t able to commit, which is good news for Stuart Skinner.
“I haven’t seen any Mario Kart,” Walman told Daily Hive. “Fortnite’s my game, a little bit of PGA Golf… I haven’t even heard that the guys are gaming on the plane yet, so I’m not sure.”