A conversation with Edmonton Oiler Jake Walman

By Matthew Levine

(AJNews) – With the NHL playoffs up and running, and star defenceman Mattias Ekholm’s return timeline uncertain, the Edmonton Oilers need their newest member to step up and perform. Jake Walman, the early March addition to the team, was acquired from the San Jose Sharks and has been exactly what the team has needed down the stretch. Walman provided some much-needed support to the defensive group and in rarity has also given Zach Hyman a fellow Yid to play alongside (and just in time for Passover too!).

Like Hyman, Walman grew up in Toronto. He was Bar-mitzvahed, has been to Israel, and still celebrates the High Holidays. Just like his father, he attended the Jewish sleep-away camp Winnebagoe in Ontario. He grew up celebrating both Jewish and Christian holidays, but admitted that his favorite holiday is Chanukah, and he was insistent about pride in his Jewish identity.

“I’m really proud to be Jewish. That’s the biggest thing, and I like being a minority,” said Walman. “Some things are tough, but yeah, it makes you more proud.”

With his favorite holiday being Chanukah, we all know that one vital question had to be asked:

Q: Is it true that when you celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah, you get double the presents?

A: Yeah, yeah, uh, that’s what me and my brother tried to get out of it for sure.

Was he successful? We may never know. But here are some more rapid fire Q & A’s to get to know the newest Oiler, and Edmonton’s newest member of the tribe, number 96, Jake Walman:

Q: You haven’t been to a playoff game since your early days with St. Louis. Are you excited to be back in the playoffs this year?

A: Yeah, it’ll be nice. I’m ready for it. The first time I was in was during Covid, so it wasn’t the same atmosphere as we’re obviously going to have in Edmonton.

Q: I’ve read some of your past articles and saw that you enjoy a little gaming. What’s your favorite game?

A: Yeah, I’m still playing “Fortnite” like every day. I’ve played since the game first came out. I’m an OG player.

Q: With there being a minyan’s worth of elite Jewish hockey players in the NHL, is there a Jewish group chat for you all to schmooze in during your free time?

A: No, maybe there should be but I don’t know. I think there might be a Russian group chat in the NHL. Maybe we can start that up or something.

Follow-up: Do you think there is one and you just haven’t been invited yet?

Rebuttal: I hope not!

Q: Has Zach invited you over for Passover? Are you expecting anything?

A: Not yet but yeah. I’m expecting and hoping, especially because I’m sure he has a nice house.

(Hopefully he got that invite and had a nice Seder. Jake being the younger of the two, some Ma Nishtana may have been on the table)

Q: Applesauce or sour cream on a latke?

A: Sour cream.

Q: Sandler or Samberg?

A: Sandler.

Q: You have recently played for the first Jewish head coach in 30 or so years on the Sharks. What was that like, and did you ever connect through your Judaism specifically?

A: No, not really. We didn’t really connect that much. I think I’m honestly connected more with being on this team. When I came in, the first thing I thought was there’s three of us.  Me, Zach and one of our video guys. So, yeah, we got a three-person squad right now.

Q: Elliott Friedman always refers to you as the pride of Armor Heights. What’s your favorite hockey nickname that you’ve had over the years?

A: I don’t know. I’ve had a few, I think it’s just Wally. That’s probably the first one I got when I was a kid.

Q: How many more Jews do you think we need on the Oilers before we can negotiate a name change to the Edmonton Maccabees?

A: Well, we can maybe have a line first. Maybe five Jewish guys and call it the Maccabee line.

Q: Smoked meat or corned beef?

A: Depends on the Deli.

Q: Best ice in the league

A: It all sucks.

All indications are Jake is a great guy and was a pleasure to interview. We at Alberta Jewish News wish him and the rest of the Oilers good luck in the playoffs. Hopefully Jake and Zach can help the Oilers reach the pinnacle of hockeydom, bring the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton, and maybe even enjoy some matzo ball soup out of it.

Matthew Levine is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter