Former Viper Walchuk Fills In For Joe Thornton At Team Canada's Orientation Camp:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Dylan Walchuk filled in for
Joe Thornton during Hockey Canada's walk-through at Olympic orientation camp.  Walchuk played parts of three seasons in Vernon (2009-2012) is now entering his first year at the University of Calgary.  Walkchuk left Vernon after two seasons for the University of Northern Michigan before returning to the Vipers in December of 2011 after playing in just 19 games at Northern Michigan.  After just six games with the Vipers Walchuk left Vernon for the WHL Spokane Cheifs where he would finish his junior hockey career (2012-2013).  In 117 games with the Vipers Walchuk collected (44-65-109).

Dylan Walchuk's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=47890

This was in the Calgary Herald Newspaper:

Dino Walchuk gets dream call to fill in at Team Canada orientation camp

Former Spokane Chiefs forward ends up on a line with Taylor Hall and Jordan Staal

 By Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald

August 26, 2013

Think about this scenario.

You are a 21-year-old hockey player, minding your own business on a Sunday evening when your phone rings. On the other end, it’s your university hockey coach telling you Team Canada needs an extra player.

Oh, and they’ve asked for you.

What do you think a guy is going to say?

“I think I just got lucky,” downplayed University of Calgary forward Dylan Walchuk, grinning and embracing the growing media scrum around him at ice level. “I don’t know. The coaches came out and put our team through a walk-through the other day and I guess someone got sick or someone didn’t show up and they called me to fill in.

“Why not?”

With Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux already out, recovering from finger surgery, and Joe Thornton, who stayed home to be with his 2-month old baby in the hospital, the men’s Olympic team orientation camp was down to 45 from 47 players on Monday.

So, needing an extra winger and someone who could slide seamlessly into Team Canada’s walk-through/ball hockey practice at Calgary’s Markin McPhail Centre, head coach Mike Babcock contacted U of C head coach Mark Howell to find an able body on his Canadian Interuniversity Sport squad.

And, there you have it — Walchuk, a former Western Hockey League forward with the Spokane Chiefs, actually turned into one of the biggest stars of the day.

“That’s the best story about this whole thing so far,” Babcock said. “Life is about what you make of it. (Coach) Mark Howell and the U of C Dinosaurs helped us out, and they helped us out to get the coaches organized. Their team had a team party, a double-kegger the night before I came in.

“We put them through the paces and that kid was the best kid on the ice by a million miles.”

As they say, when you do good things, good things happen.

Which is how Walchuk ended up sitting in Hockey Canada’s dressing room on Monday morning in a stall beside Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand and, who else, Sidney Crosby.

“It was like a dream come true,” said the McBride, B.C., native who had only committed to U of C two weeks ago. “It was sweet. To see those guys on TV all the time and then getting to play with them. They’re all good guys and it was an experience I will never forget.

“It will be cool to see myself on television (Monday).”

His highlight package will also include footage of him on a line, playing ball hockey with Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal and Edmonton Oilers star Taylor Hall.

“It was fun to see him out here,” Hall said. “I’m sure he’s having a blast being around all these guys. He did pretty good. He didn’t mess up any drills, which is more than I can say if I was in his shoes. ... I’m sure he’s making all his buddies jealous.

“He did a good job. He was on my line, and we didn’t get into any trouble from the coach, so it was good.”

Walchuk’s chances of making the 2014 Olympic team are slim despite what he informed the media on Monday.

“I think I can be first line with Sid,” he said jokingly. “I need a good start. I need to have a pretty solid season.”

But, all in all, the experience was enviable and Walchuk was planning to take a lot away from it.

“I want to take these shoes, actually,” he deadpanned, pointing to his black Hockey Canada-issued Nikes. “They’re pretty nice shoes.

“I’m going to hop the glass and get out of here.”