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Minnesota Duluth senior captain Andy Welinski has signed a two-year entry level contract with the Anaheim Ducks, which will begin next season. Welinski was drafted in the third round, 83rd overall by the Ducks in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Welinski was primarily a tough defensive-minded defenseman, though worked to add more of an offensive element to his game in his final years in Duluth, both on the power play and at 5-on-5. He turned down a contract offer from the Ducks last summer to return for his final season with hometown Bulldogs, and played huge minutes for Duluth, including playing a key role in their last season run to get the NCAA Tournament. Welinski is also a respected leader that served as captain for the Bulldogs this past season.
We had Welinski ranked as the 26th-best NHL prospect in the NCAA this past season.
He will finish the season by reporting to Anaheim's AHL affiliate in San Diego on an amateur tryout offer before his contract kicks in next season.