First ever NHL Aussie makes league take notice with impressive hip-check, flipping his opponent

LOOK out America, there’s an Aussie ice hockey dynamo heading your way and he means business.

LOOK out America, there’s an Aussie ice hockey dynamo heading your way and he means business.

The NHL stood up and took notice after a huge hip-check in a pre-season hit-out.

During the third period of the Washington Capitals’ game against the Buffalo Sabres, Vaclav Karabacek was sent flying through the air after an awesome bump by Australia’s own, Nathan Walker.

Just look at that strength.

Despite his smaller stature, the newly drafted Capitals recruit showed incredible lower body strength to bring Karabacek down.

Earlier this year Walker made history to become the first Aussie to be drafted into the NHL.

Though it’s in doubt exactly how much NHL game time he will get as a rookie, if he can keep up this kind of intensity, it might be hard for coaches to look past him when the season proper begins on October 8.

Washington went on to win their opening pre-season game 1-0 through a goal from Andre Burakovsky.

Nathan walker threw the best hipcheck I've ever seen #caps

— Steven (@Medeiros_63) September 21, 2014

Just how many times have I rewatched Nathan Walker's beautiful hip check since I got home? Many. The answer is many.

— Jess (@glitter4goals) September 22, 2014

"That's not a hip check. THAT'S a hip check." - Nathan Walker, #Caps

— Tim Phillips (@hollowtim) September 21, 2014

Nathan Walker just blew up Vaclav Karabacek with a huge hip check at the blue line. Oof.

— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) September 21, 2014

So excited about Nathan's hit I even showed it to Rob the owner of my favorite cafe during morning coffee

— rick (@impartise) September 22, 2014

Originally published as First ever NHL Aussie makes league take notice with impressive hip-check, flipping his opponent