Inferno sign Wellar

Published on September 19, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Columbia Inferno News Release


(COLUMBIA, S.C.) Sept. 19, 2007- The Columbia Inferno have signed defenseman Patrick Wellar, head coach and director of hockey operations Troy Mann announced today.

The 24-year-old Wellar split last season between the Alaska Aces of the ECHL and the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL. In 53 games with Alaska, Wellar tallied 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) and 101 penalty minutes, while he recorded one assist and nine penalty minutes in 21 games with the Rivermen.

"Patrick has real good size and a presence on the ice," Mann said. "He delivers crushing hits that tend to disrupt the other team's offense, and we believe he'll provide leadership as an anchor on the blueline."

Wellar, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Carrot River, Saskatchewan, has played in 168 career ECHL games with Peoria and Alaska from the 2004-05 season through 2006-07. During that span, he notched 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) and 281 penalty minutes as well as a Kelly Cup Championship with the Aces following the 2005-06 season. Wellar also has two assists and 11 penalty minutes in 28 career AHL games with the Worcester IceCats and Peoria Rivermen from 2004-05 through 2006-07.

Wellar was originally drafted no. 77 overall in the third round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to turning pro, Wellar had 58 points (16 goals, 42 assists) and 441 penalty minutes in 247 games with the Portland Winter Hawks and Calgary Hitmen from 1999-2000 through 2003-04.

The Columbia Inferno's regular-season home opener is Friday, Oct. 26 against the Augusta Lynx. Season tickets, group packages and partial ticket plans are available now by calling 803.256.PUCK or by logging on to columbiainferno.com.

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