SUNRISE, FL - Just two days removed from the final game of his collegiate career,
Jeremy Welsh became the first former Union men's ice hockey player to appear in an NHL game in 18 years, playing forward for the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. Welsh is the fourth Union player to appear in the NHL and the first since Duane Joyce '87, who played in three contests with the Dallas Stars during the 1993-94 season.
In his NHL debut, Welsh wore No. 23 and played center on a line with Jeff Skinner and Tuomo Ruutu. He logged 16:32 of ice time, recording two shots on goal with four penalty minutes.
Welsh recorded 27 goals, 17 assists (44 points) and 47 penalty minutes in 40 games for the Dutchmen this season. He shattered the school single-season goals record previously held by Mario Valery-Trabucco '10.
Welsh ranked first on the team and fourth in the NCAA in goals scored. The Bayfield, Ont., native had nine points (5g, 4a) in eight postseason games for the Dutchmen, including a five-game goal-scoring streak to lead Union to its first ECAC Hockey Championship and first Frozen Four berth in school history. For his efforts, Welsh was named ECAC Hockey Player of the Month for March, Most Outstanding Player of the ECAC Championship and Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA East Regional in Bridgeport, CT.
Defenseman Mario Giallonardo, who played 23 games in the NHL with the Colorado Rockies from 1979-81, and goaltender Steve Baker, who played 57 games with the New York Rangers from 1979-1983 are the other two Union hockey alumni who have appeared in the NHL.
