Wes Walz

Wes Walz (born February 8, 1970, in Calgary, Alberta) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He primarily played center and was known for his strong defensive play, penalty killing abilities, and faceoff expertise.

Walz was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft (103rd overall) but did not immediately play in the NHL. He played college hockey for Colorado College and spent several years in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the International Hockey League (IHL) before making his NHL debut with the Bruins in the 1997-98 season.

He is most remembered for his time with the Minnesota Wild, joining the team in their inaugural 2000-01 season. Walz quickly became a key player for the Wild, serving as an alternate captain and contributing to their surprising run to the Western Conference Finals in 2003. He played seven seasons with the Wild before retiring in 2008.

Following his playing career, Walz transitioned to coaching. He has worked as a coach at various levels, including youth hockey and junior hockey. He also spent time as a studio analyst for hockey broadcasts.