Wellar Replaces Sanford as ECHL All-Star for Rivermen
January 24, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria, Ill. (January 24, 2005) â The ECHL announced today that rookie defenseman Patrick Wellar has been selected to replace rookie defenseman James Sanford, who is on reassignment with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League (AHL), and will represent the Peoria Rivermen as part of the National Conference squad in the 2005 ECHL All-Star Game in Reading, Pa., on Wednesday, January 26 at the Sovereign Center.
National Conference coaches submitted the top prospects from within their conference that determined the final roster with each of the 16 teams in the National Conference having a representative. The starting lineups were determined in voting by coaches, team captains, media relations directors, broadcasters and newspaper writers.
Wellar â a 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Carrot River, Saskatchewan â registered his first professional goal and his first two-point game of his career this past Sunday in a 3-1 home win over the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies. The 21-year-old has five points (1g, 4a) and 45 penalty minutes (PIM) in 31 games with the Rivermen this season. He was reassigned to Peoria from the team's AHL affiliate, the Worcester IceCats, on October 12, 2004.
Selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round (77th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Wellar competed for five seasons in the Major Junior "A" Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Portland Winter Hawks (1999-2002) and the Calgary Hitmen (2002-2004). He set single-season WHL career bests in games played (68) and goals (7) with Calgary last season (2003-2004), his overage year, and was named Team Best Defenseman. He notched single-season WHL career bests in assists (19), points (24) and PIM (150) between Portland and Calgary in 2002-2003, collecting 36 points (11g, 25a) and 252 PIM in 128 career games with the Hitmen.
The Peoria Rivermen are a proud affiliate of the NHL's St. Louis Blues and a member of the ECHL â The Premier "AA" Hockey League. On Friday, January 28, the Rivermen welcome the San Diego Gulls to Carver Arena for the first time in their ECHL membership. Game time is 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, January 29, Peoria battles the archrival Toledo Storm at Carver Arena. Game time is 8:00 p.m. due to Bradley University Basketball. It is Caterpillar Night. The first 2,500 fans will receive a CD holder, courtesy of Caterpillar. It is also a Kaufman Wellness Center Night. Fans may receive a free spinal check and back massage for a $10 donation to the Children's Hospital of Illinois. Six-game & three-game ticket plans for the remainder of the 2004-2005 season are available for $99 and $48 per seat, respectively, by calling 309.676.1040 x106.
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