Brahmas acquire forward Dan Welch

Former Colorado Eagle joins roster

The Texas Brahmas have announced that they have acquired forward Dan Welch from the Colorado Eagles on Monday afternoon. The terms were not disclosed but it is believed to be a future considerations deal.

A native of Hastings, Minnesota native, Welch played three games with the Colorado Eagles this season posting an assist this past Friday in Mississippi.

Welch played for three seasons at the University of Minnesota (NCAA) beginning in 1999-00 and was chosen by the Los Angeles Kings in the 8th round (#245 overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

After being ruled academically ineligible for the 2000-01 season, Welch moved to Omaha, Nebraska to play for the Omaha Lancers (USHL) and attend junior college. He registered 57 points (30 G, 27 A) and 103 penalty minutes during the regular season and 22 points (9 G, 13 A) and 20 penalty minutes during the playoffs. Welch was also selected to Team USA in the 2001 USHL Prospects/All-Star Game, but due to academic conflicts he could not participate.

The following season, Welch played for seven games with the Lancers, scoring six points (4 G, 2 A) before returning to the University of Minnesota. During his combined three seasons with the Golden Gophers, he tallied 35 points (15 G, 20 A) and 55 penalty minutes in 73 games played and was a member of the 2002 NCAA Championship team.

In 2002-03, Welch began three seasons of play with the Manchester Monarchs, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings (NHL). During his time in New Hampshire, he scored 37 points (12 G, 25 A) with 89 penalty minutes in 132 games played.

At the end of the 2003-04 season, he signed with the Reading Royals (ECHL) and tallied 15 points (8 G, 7 A) in the final 11 games of the regular season and registered an assist in one game during the playoffs.

Welch went to Europe for two seasons beginning in 2005-06. He played in England for the Coventry Blaze and the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL, combining for 46 points (23 G, 23 A) in 47 games played. In 2006-07, he went to France to play for Morzine-Avoriaz, where he put up 40 points (14 G, 26 A) in 26 games played.

He began the 2007-08 season in Switzerland with Neuchatel Young-Sprinters but after four games, he returned to the U.S. to play for the Texas Wildcatters (ECHL) in Beaumont. He scored 62 points (21 G, 41 A) in 64 games during the regular season and one goal in four games during the playoffs.

Welch began the 2008-09 season with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), playing in 28 games and scoring 12 points (5 G, 7 A). He then left to play with several of his Wildcatters teammates, including former Brahma Brandon Benedict, in Denmark with Totempo HVIK. He tallied 33 points (11 G, 22 A) in 34 games before the club filed for bankruptcy.

Photo Credit: Allen Picard