Three Former Gamblers Invited to U.S. Evaluation Camp
Published on June 19, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Green Bay Gamblers News Release
(Green Bay, WI) USA Hockey today announced the 46 players invited to take part in its National Junior Evaluation Camp this August in Lake Placid, N.Y. The players will be auditioning for a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team that will take part in the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013, in Ufa, Russia.
Among the invitees are three former Gamblers off the 2011-12 squad -- defenseman Jordan Schmaltz (Verona, Wisconsin), defenseman Andy Welinski (Duluth, Minnesota) and Forward Alex Broadhurst (New Lennox, Illinois).
Schmaltz came to the Gamblers via a November trade with the Sioux City Musketeers. The Verona, Wisconsin native was ranked the 8th best North American prospect for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by NHL Central Scouting. Schmaltz was second in the USHL in scoring from the blueline, appearing in 55 games this season tallying 10 goals and 31 assists and a plus 11 plus/minus rating. Schmaltz is committed to the University of North Dakota (WCHA). Schmaltz for a second consecutive season was named to the 1st Team All-USHL this past season.
Welinski was touted as one of the top defenseman in the USHL this past season. The Duluth, MN native appeared in 54 games during the 2011-12 season for the Gamblers registering 15 goals and 22 assists. Welinski was the top defenseman in goals scored and second in plus/minus rating with a plus 36 rating. During his rookie campaign, Welinksi was a member of a Gamblers defensive core that led the 16-team USHL in goals against. In June of 2011, Welinski heard his named called by the Anaheim Ducks (3rd round) at the NHL Entry Draft. Welinski is committed to Minnesota-Duluth. For his efforts this past season, Welinski was named USHL Defenseman of the Year and USA Hockey Dave Tyler Junior Hockey Player of the Year.
Broadhurst has the distinction of being the team's leading scorer this past season and was named to the 1st Team All-USHL. In 53 games during the regular season, the New Lenox, IL native scored 26 goals and 47 assists. Broadhurst put together a tremendous rookie campaign, registering 13 goals and 20 assists in 55 games. Broadhurst continued his solid play in the Clark Cup Playoffs, leading the USHL in scoring with 18 points (9 goals & 9 assists). Broadhurst was also the first player in the 33 year history of the USHL to score a shorthanded hat trick in the playoffs in a win against the Youngstown Phantoms in the second round of the playoffs. Broadhurst was selected in the 7th round of the NHL Entry Draft by his hometown Chicago Blackhawks.
The camp, which will take place at Lake Placid's Olympic Center from Aug. 4-11, includes practices, intrasquad scrimmages and international games against Sweden and Finland.
NOTES: Eleven of the 46 invited players participated in last year's camp ... The 2013 U.S. National Junior Team will be selected in late December following a pre-tournament camp from Dec. 19-23 to be held in Helsinki, Finland.
United States Hockey League Stories from June 19, 2012
- Three Former Gamblers Invited to U.S. Evaluation Camp - Green Bay Gamblers
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