1st Australian to get NHL contract

Ice hockey player Nathan Walker completes his deal to become the first Australian in the NHL, signing with the Washington Capitals for three years.

Nathan Walker will become the first Australian in the NHL, signing with the Washington Capitals. (AAP)

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Nathan Walker, the first Australian player to be drafted by an NHL team.

The 20-year-old Walker was selected in the third round of last month's draft. He signed a standard three-year, entry-level contract on Friday.

Walker was born in Wales but spent his early childhood in Australia before moving to the Czech Republic.

Walker became the first Aussie in the American Hockey League when he played for the Hershey Bears, the Capitals' AHL affiliate.

He had five goals, six assists and 40 penalty minutes in 43 games with Hershey last season.