CASEY WELLMAN

Massachusetts

So. | F | Brentwood, Calif.

Casey Wellman was a free-agent invitee to the Nashville Predators summer development camp in July.

Key Statistics: Hockey East’s top scorer among freshmen in 2008-09, Wellman earned conference All-Rookie Team honors after posting 11 goals and 22 points in 39 games. He finished second among Minutemen in scoring and shared the team lead at plus-10.

What He Does: The well traveled Wellwood grew up in California, went to high school in Michigan and played junior hockey in Cedar Rapids. He had little trouble acclimating to Hockey East, thanks in large part to his size, speed and physical conditioning.

The Bigger Picture: Wellman gave UMass a solid secondary scoring threat last season. With the graduation of No. 1 center Cory Quirk, head coach Don Cahoon has the option to pair Wellman with the dynamic James Marcou or keep those two as a 1-2 punch. Early signs point to a top line of Wellman, Marcou and T.J. Syner that could be among the league’s best.

Wellman, in an online chat this summer, on his OT goal to beat Boston College in November: “After the goal I was fighting for air under that huge pile. Once that cleared, it was an unbelievable feeling. I will always remember that, it was the greatest moment of my hockey career so far.”