Wellman Featured on USHL Website

It has been a whirlwind few months for Casey Wellman. Only days after finishing his second collegiate season at the University of Massachusetts in March, he was suiting up in the NHL for the Minnesota Wild. Wellman, who was not picked in the NHL Entry Draft, signed an entry-level contract; the Wild immediately saw their investment pay dividends, as the young forward dished out an assist in his NHL debut on March 19th.

A Brentwood, California native, Wellman appeared in 12 games for the Wild to close out the 2009-10 season, scoring four points (1g, 3a) – including his first NHL goal in the season finale on April 10th.

Two short years ago, Wellman was completing his second USHL season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Over 109 career games in the League, he posted 64 points (28g, 36a).

USHL.com caught up with Wellman right after he finished up a rigorous offseason workout. He now takes a moment to join the many proud voices of USHL alumni.

USHL.com: What has your training regimen been like this summer?

Wellman: Right after the season, I took a little break and let my body rest. I actually just returned from a week vacation in Cabo. I continue to work with a trainer that I have had since I was a sophomore in high school. We do a lot of leg workouts – squats, leg presses, and lunges – and then I do some boxing at the end of my workout.

When did you first start becoming really serious about hockey?

I was playing in California, but when I was 11 or 12, I told my parents I wanted to move away and play at a prep school. So when I was 13, I started applying to schools and ended up enrolling at Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

At what point did you first recognize the USHL as the place you wanted to be?

I went to a tournament in Minnesota during my senior year at Cranbrook. There were some scouts from the EJHL talking to me. So I went and talked to my coach about it. He said to forget about all of that – because you are going to the USHL. We will just keep working harder and we will get you there. I started hearing about the USHL more especially when some players from my school went to the League.

After getting drafted by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and making your way there, what did you think of the level of play?

My initial reaction was how good it was. It was a big jump for me to go from high school hockey to the USHL because everyone was really good. My first year, I actually barely played in the first part of the season and even sat out the first six games. It was a struggle for me, but I am passionate about hockey, so I kept working hard and tried to get in the lineup.

What was your most memorable moment from that first season in the USHL?

My first goal. It took quite awhile. It actually came in late January of my first year, but it was pretty exciting.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned during your USHL career?

One of the things I learned the most was pay attention to the details. Mark Carlson is a great coach and he is all about the details. He really helped me develop in all aspects of my game. When I got there, I wasn\\\\\\\'t one of the toughest players but he made me tougher. We worked on my game in the corners and grinding a little bit. All around it just helped me to develop my game entirely.

Over the past four years, you have made the jump to three higher levels of hockey – USHL, college, and the NHL. Which was the biggest adjustment for you?

For me the biggest jump was going from high school to the USHL. That was definitely the hardest for me. I was still immature and a late bloomer, so it was a lot for me. Players in that league are really good and being in the USHL prepared me to play in college. It wasn\\\\\\\'t a big step for me to go from USHL to college

It is definitely a big jump to go to the NHL. All the players are big and strong and everything is done so quickly. That was also very tough for me, but again I would have to say the biggest jump has been high school to the USHL.

When did signing with a NHL club start becoming a reality for you?

There were a lot of teams talking to me and it got kind of overwhelming. I ended up saying that I would not talk to anyone until the end of the season so that I could focus on college. Towards the end of the season, my dad asked if I would want to make the jump straight to the NHL and I said "absolutely."

Although it was your dream, how tough was it to leave school at that point to pursue your hockey career?

It was a big decision. I was giving up two free years of education and I have a lot of great friends at UMass. It was a decision that wasn\\\\\\\'t made in a few days as I had been thinking about it for a long time. With all the opportunities that came up and the chance I had, it was something I just couldn\\\\\\\'t turn down.

Do you have plans to finish your college education?

Absolutely. I have two full years done right now and I am going to try to chip away at it. Maybe take one class each semester and take classes in the summer. I am majoring in business right now, so I am going to try to keep on with that.

What does the rest of the summer have in store for you?

I am going to Minnesota Wild rookie camp in July and then main training camp in September. However, I am probably going a month early to train and skate with the guys out there to get ready for it. At my end-of-year meeting, the coaching staff made no promises but said I had put myself in a good position and that I have the ability to be there (in the NHL) next season.

What was the biggest difference you noticed right away about the NHL compared to the USHL?

The traveling is a little bit easier. No more seven-hour bus rides to a game, then taking it back seven hours to play another game. The NHL is pretty unbelievable. For awhile, I was just sitting there in awe, looking at everything and taking it all in.

What was your favorite NHL team growing up?

I grew up in Brentwood, which is close to San Jose so I was a Sharks fan.
What was it like as a NHL player to be on the ice against the team you grew up rooting for?
I actually played them twice. It was pretty crazy. Since I was from California, the media was always interviewing me before and after the game. It was really fun to play San Jose. Obviously they are really good and it was a tough, but it was pretty fun to take it all in.

As a proud USHL alum, what are your thoughts now about the League?

I think it is great. It is definitely the best junior league and it has been growing. I think one of the best things about it is that it\\\\\\\'s such a defensive league and so hard to score. There is not a lot of time with the puck and it really helps you out a lot. It made me more ready for the college level. There are a lot of good players coming from there and tons of kids are going to college. Going there was one of the best decisions I have made.