Derrick Walser
Jersey Number: 23
Player information for Derrick Walser
Position
Defense
Height
5'10" (178cm)
Born
May 12, 1978
Number
23
Shoots
Left
Weight
190 lbs (86kg)
Birthplace
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, CAN
Years in Columbus
4
Player Images
Player Career Notes
- Spent his entire NHL career with the Blue Jackets, collecting 8-21-29 and 56 penalty minutes in 91 games over two stints and four seasons with the club from 2001-07.
- Is one of nine players to play for the Blue Jackets on multiple occasions.
- Set career highs with 4-13-17 and 34 penalty minutes in 53 contests with the Jackets in 2002-03.
- Made his NHL debut on Apr. 10, 2002 and notched his first career point with a goal two days later against Atlanta (Milan Hnilicka).
- Added 89-181-270 and 397 penalty minutes in 411 career American Hockey League outings with the Toronto Marlies, Syracuse Crunch, Albany River Rats and Saint John Flames from 1998-2008.
- Helped the Flames win the 2001 Calder Cup and was selected to the 2002 and 2008 AHL All-Star Games.
- Also helped Eisbaren Berlin capture the Deutsche Eishockey Liga championships in 2005 and 2006.
- Went on to play nine seasons in Europe following his second stint with the Blue Jackets, including time in Russia, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom from 2008-17.
- Served as player-coach with the Belfast Giants in the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League from 2015-17.
- Played junior hockey with the Beauport Harfangs and Rimouski Oceanic from 1994-98, compiling 82-173-255 and 295 penalty minutes in 255 career appearances.
- Captured the QMJHL and CHL Defenseman of the Year awards in 1997-98 after leading league defensemen in goals, assists and points with 41-69-110 in 70 games with the Oceanic.
- Served as assistant coach with the Ontario Hockey League’s Peterborough Petes from 2017-23 before leading the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels as head coach in 2023-24. Joined the OHL’s Oshawa Generals as an assistant coach in 2025.
CBJ Career Regular Season Stats
| Season | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM | SOG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-2002 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2002-2003 | 53 | 4 | 13 | 17 | -9 | 34 | 86 |
| 2003-2004 | 27 | 1 | 8 | 9 | -6 | 22 | 35 |
| 2006-2007 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 0 | 10 |
| Totals | 91 | 8 | 21 | 29 | -18 | 56 | 133 |
Transaction History
- Undrafted; signed by Columbus as a free agent on Sept. 17, 2001.
- Traded to Carolina with a fourth-round pick in the 2006 NHL Draft for a fourth round pick in the 2005 NHL Draft on July 30, 2005.
- Acquired from Carolina for D Mark Flood on Nov. 29, 2006.