Rookie Casey Wellman making a strong first…
Rookie Casey Wellman making a strong first impression with Wild
Casey Wellman #17 of the Minnesota Wild and Anton Stralman #6 of the Columbus Blue Jackets chase down a loose puck during the second period on March 19, 2010 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
By Bruce Brothers | bbrothers@pioneerpress.com |
PUBLISHED: March 22, 2010 at 11:01 p.m. | UPDATED: November 12, 2015 at 6:38 a.m.
Casey Wellman is saying all the right things.
More importantly, the Wild's new young playmaker is doing all the right things.
Wellman, a 22-year-old rookie forward who signed as a free agent last week after two seasons at the University of Massachusetts, arrived in St. Paul looking a little wide-eyed. After watching two games, he was dropped into the lineup Friday night in Columbus.
In his first game, he recorded his first point, an assist in the 4-2 loss. In his second game, the Wild's 4-3 victory Sunday over the Calgary Flames at the Xcel Energy Center, he didn't record an official shot on goal, but he did force a turnover that led to a goal. That stands out for a team that before Monday's games ranked 15th in the league in scoring with 194 goals (2.69 per game).
The kid whose comfort level belies a two-game NHL career and barely 21 minutes of ice time has been the model of modesty.
He said after his second game, "These guys have been working hard all year, and it's a pleasure to play with them. They played well tonight, and it was great to be a part of."
Against Columbus, Wellman jumped into the lineup and produced a fancy move or two in front of the Blue Jackets' net to set up Chuck Kobasew for a second-period goal.
Said Kobasew: "I just tried to go to the net, and he found me."
Wellman later banged a quick shot on net that was inches from his first NHL goal before the Blue Jackets' R.J. Umberger stepped in and stopped the puck with his skate.
"That was ridiculous," Wellman said, "but you know, things like that happen. Hopefully, I'll get another chance to bury one."
Coach Todd Richards had a favorable first impression.
"If you look at his overall game," Richards said, "it seemed like when he got the puck on his stick, he was making a play. It was a good first game for him."
As Wellman enters his third game, against the San Jose Sharks tonight at the X, he credits his teammates for helping him relax.
"All the guys just tried to calm my nerves down for me; the guys were great," he said. "They told me just to be confident, and I tried to do that."
His confidence, enthusiasm and offensive abilities landed Wellman at the top of the team's list of free-agent prospects. Since arriving, he has demonstrated a willingness to attack the net, battle for the puck — and shoot.
Wellman didn't earn an assist Sunday on the first of two Kobasew goals because he did not actually touch the puck, but Wellman's pressure caused a Flames turnover to Kyle Brodziak, who moved the puck to Kobasew.
No big deal, Wellman said.
"I'm just trying to use my speed out there and create some chances for the guys," he added. "I was trying to get on the forecheck hard, and luckily we got a bounce on that one and Chuckie buried it."
Richards' praise for the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Wellman bumped up a bit after two games.
"He made some plays, and I think he had a couple of opportunities himself," Richards said. "He doesn't look out of place; he doesn't look slow.
"Really, the only way he looks out of place is, he just looks too young. But as far as how he plays the game, speed-wise, no problem. The quickness of the game and how quick he has to make decisions, he has no problem with that. He gets bounced around a little bit, and I'm sure he knows he's got to get stronger as he gets older, but he's been fine."
So far, when Wellman has been knocked down, he's popped right back up.
"I'm just trying to get in there and try to stir the pot a little bit and use my attributes as best I can," he said.
Sharks at Wild, 7 tonight, VERSUS
Bruce Brothers