Kyle Wellwood
Encyclopedia
Kyle Wellwood is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
centre
who plays for the Winnipeg Jets
of the NHL. He was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs
134th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft
and played his first three seasons in the NHL with Toronto, before joining the Vancouver Canucks
in 2008. After not re-signing with the Canucks Wellwood played in Russia for Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League
(KHL). He left the team due to family concerns and was signed by the St. Louis Blues
. He never played a game with them as he was claimed on waivers
by the San Jose Sharks
. After one season with the Sharks he signed with the Jets as a free agent.
in the first round, 16th overall, in the 1999 Ontario Hockey League
(OHL) draft. In his second season with Belleville (2000–01), he put up 118 points, capturing the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
as the league's leading scorer. The next season, he was traded in January 2002 to the Windsor Spitfires
for Jason Spezza
. As a Spitfire, he tallied 100 points in 57 games, including a 29-game stretch in which he scored 26 goals and 59 points. In his final year of junior, he also received the William Hanley Trophy
as the OHL's sportsman of the year, as well as the CHL Sportsman of the Year
Award by playing in 57 games without a single penalty minute that year.
in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft
. He turned pro in 2003–04
when he joined Toronto's minor league affiliate, the St. John's Maple Leafs
of the American Hockey League
(AHL). Wellwood recorded 55 points in his professional rookie season while also appearing in his first NHL game with the Maple Leafs that year. The NHL lockout the following season guaranteed that Wellwood would play in the AHL one more season. On October 30, 2004, he set a St. John's franchise record by scoring 5 goals in one game against the Cleveland Barons
. He finished his second season with St. John's in 2004–05
fourth in league scoring with 87 points.
As NHL play resumed the following season in 2005–06, Wellwood joined Toronto's lineup. When captain Mats Sundin
was injured in the first game of the season, Wellwood was bumped to centre the first line between Alexei Ponikarovsky
and Nik Antropov
in Sundin's absence for a month. He posted a career-high 45 points in his rookie campaign. The following season, on December 16, 2006, Wellwood scored his first NHL hat trick
in a game against the New York Rangers
. He also had two assists that same night for a career-high five point NHL game. On pace to surpass his rookie totals, Wellwood was sidelined for almost half the season and finished with 42 points in 48 games.
Wellwood suffered a sports hernia before the start of the 2007–08 season, and consequently he missed the first 15 games. He returned on November 6, 2007, against the Ottawa Senators
. After the Leafs had been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, Wellwood went to Philadelphia for minor surgery on the opposite side of his groin from the first operation, prematurely ending his season with 21 points in 59 games.
. With his contract set to expire, the Leafs placed him on waivers on June 24. He was claimed the following day by the Vancouver Canucks
and was signed to a one-year, $998,000 contract. Reporting to training camp, he failed his initial fitness test and, although he passed a later evaluation, he was a healthy scratch to begin the season. On October 17, after having played just one game for the Canucks, he was placed on waivers; after clearing, he was assigned to the Manitoba Moose
of the AHL. Because the addition of Wellwood would have put the Moose over the limit for veteran players, Wellwood started looking at playing options in Europe; however, two days after clearing waivers, injuries to the Canucks forced them to call Wellwood up from the minors, and he cleared re-entry waivers 24 hours later. Wellwood took advantage of this opportunity by getting a goal and an assist in a 4-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets
and stuck with the club. Later in the season, on February 17, 2009, Wellwood ended a streak of 159 games without a penalty by taking a high-sticking penalty against the Calgary Flames
. It was his first penalty since April 11, 2006. Wellwood ended his first regular season in Vancouver with 18 goals and 9 assists. Having never reached the post-season with the Maple Leafs, Wellwood made his NHL playoff debut with the Canucks in 2009
and scored his first NHL playoff goal in game four of the first round against the St. Louis Blues, helping Vancouver complete a sweep in a 3–2 overtime win.
In the off-season, Wellwood became a restricted free agent. After taking the Canucks to arbitration on July 28, 2009, he was re-signed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract two days later on July 30 ; terms in the collective bargaining agreement did not allow the Canucks to walk away from a ruling of less than $1.57 million. Having earned a reputation in his first Canucks season for a lack of fitness, Wellwood reported to training camp for the 2009–10 season
15 pounds lighter than in the previous year. He started the season on the third line with Steve Bernier
and Mason Raymond
, a combination that coach Alain Vigneault carried over from the latter stages of the 2008–09 season and playoffs. Wellwood was sidelined early in the season, suffering a broken toe after blocking a shot from Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Komisarek
in a game on October 24, 2009, but he returned to the lineup just eight days later, on November 1. He finished the campaign with 14 goals and 25 points in 75 games. He followed that up with a seven-point post-season as the Canucks were eliminated by the Blackhawks in the second round.
from the San Jose Sharks
as their projected third-line centre. Wellwood's main goal during the off-season was to find an opportunity to play centre on a scoring line. He accepted an invitation to the Phoenix Coyotes
' training camp on a try-out basis. However, he was unable to secure a spot on the Coyotes' roster and was released on October 1. Four days later, Wellwood signed with Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Russian Kontinental Hockey League
(KHL). In January 2011, he was released from Atlant. Initially it was believed that he had been released due to performance issues, but it was soon revealed that Wellwood was returning to his hometown of Windsor, Ontario
, for family reasons.
Later in the 2010–11 season, he was reported to have signed with the St. Louis Blues
; however, Blues officials denied the report, stating that they were unsure where the information came from. Team general manager Doug Armstrong
stated that they were interested in Wellwood but they had not signed him. According to a St. Louis-based reporter, the team was waiting for confirmation of Wellwood's release from Atlant before they finalized the signing. On January 17, Wellwood officially signed a one-year deal with the Blues, but needed to clear re-entry waivers
before joining the team. The following day, he was claimed by the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first goal for the Sharks on February 1, 2011 in a game vs. the Coyotes. Wellwood's goal tied the game at 3–3 and was considered a rallying point for San Jose as they came back to win 5–3 after being down 3–0. In March Wellwood noted that the Sharks were a more mature team and would be better than the Canucks because they've been through more adversity in the playoffs. The two teams eventually met in the Western Conference Finals
. When asked about Wellwoods comments prior to Game 1 of the series former teammate Kevin Bieksa
stated "I don't even remember what the weasel said." The Canucks won the series 4–1 advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals
.
on September, 8th 2011.
season, Wellwood competed for Team Canada
at the 2003 World Junior Championships
, earning a silver medal. He contributed 1 goal and 4 assists in 6 games.
, Ontario
, just outside of Windsor
. His brother Eric
plays for the Adirondack Phantoms
of the AHL
and was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers
in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
. His sister Michelle is a teacher, like their mother Donna was before becoming a firefighter. Wellwood used hockey to escape from troubles at home. Wellwood and his fiancee, Bianca, became parents March 28, 2011 when their son, Roman, was born nine weeks ahead of schedule.
AHL
NHL
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
who plays for the Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
of the NHL. He was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
134th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft
2001 NHL Entry Draft
The 2001 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 23–24, 2001 at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:...
and played his first three seasons in the NHL with Toronto, before joining the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in 2008. After not re-signing with the Canucks Wellwood played in Russia for Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL). He left the team due to family concerns and was signed by the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
. He never played a game with them as he was claimed on waivers
Waivers (NHL)
Waivers is a National Hockey League labor management procedure by which an NHL team makes a professional ice hockey player’s contract and rights available to all other NHL teams. The term refers to the term that other NHL teams 'waive' any claim to a player designated for assignment, re-entry from...
by the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. After one season with the Sharks he signed with the Jets as a free agent.
Junior
Wellwood was drafted by the Belleville BullsBelleville Bulls
The Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:...
in the first round, 16th overall, in the 1999 Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
(OHL) draft. In his second season with Belleville (2000–01), he put up 118 points, capturing the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
as the league's leading scorer. The next season, he was traded in January 2002 to the Windsor Spitfires
Windsor Spitfires
The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...
for Jason Spezza
Jason Spezza
Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
. As a Spitfire, he tallied 100 points in 57 games, including a 29-game stretch in which he scored 26 goals and 59 points. In his final year of junior, he also received the William Hanley Trophy
William Hanley Trophy
The William Hanley Trophy is awarded to the Ontario Hockey League's Most Sportsmanlike Player. It is named for William Hanley, a former secretary-manager of the Ontario Hockey Association who served in that capacity for twenty-five years...
as the OHL's sportsman of the year, as well as the CHL Sportsman of the Year
CHL Sportsman of the Year
The CHL Sportsman of the Year Award is given out annually to the most sportsmanlike player in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Philip-Michael Devos, Gatineau Olympiques*2009–10 Jason Bast, Moose Jaw Warriors...
Award by playing in 57 games without a single penalty minute that year.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Wellwood was drafted in the 5th round, 134th overall, by the Toronto Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft
2001 NHL Entry Draft
The 2001 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 23–24, 2001 at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:...
. He turned pro in 2003–04
2003–04 AHL season
The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer....
when he joined Toronto's minor league affiliate, the St. John's Maple Leafs
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL). Wellwood recorded 55 points in his professional rookie season while also appearing in his first NHL game with the Maple Leafs that year. The NHL lockout the following season guaranteed that Wellwood would play in the AHL one more season. On October 30, 2004, he set a St. John's franchise record by scoring 5 goals in one game against the Cleveland Barons
Cleveland Barons (2001-2006)
The Cleveland Barons was a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Cleveland, Ohio, USA at the Gund Arena between 2001 and 2006....
. He finished his second season with St. John's in 2004–05
2004–05 AHL season
The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
fourth in league scoring with 87 points.
As NHL play resumed the following season in 2005–06, Wellwood joined Toronto's lineup. When captain Mats Sundin
Mats Sundin
Mats Johan Sundin is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player. Originally drafted first overall in 1989, Sundin played his first four seasons in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques. He was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1994, where he played the majority of his career, serving 11...
was injured in the first game of the season, Wellwood was bumped to centre the first line between Alexei Ponikarovsky
Alexei Ponikarovsky
Oleksiy Volodymyrovych "Alexei" Ponikarovsky is a Ukrainian Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League .-RSL:...
and Nik Antropov
Nik Antropov
Nikolai Aleksandrovich Antropov is a Kazakhstani-Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League...
in Sundin's absence for a month. He posted a career-high 45 points in his rookie campaign. The following season, on December 16, 2006, Wellwood scored his first NHL hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
in a game against the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
. He also had two assists that same night for a career-high five point NHL game. On pace to surpass his rookie totals, Wellwood was sidelined for almost half the season and finished with 42 points in 48 games.
Wellwood suffered a sports hernia before the start of the 2007–08 season, and consequently he missed the first 15 games. He returned on November 6, 2007, against the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. After the Leafs had been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, Wellwood went to Philadelphia for minor surgery on the opposite side of his groin from the first operation, prematurely ending his season with 21 points in 59 games.
Vancouver Canucks
During the 2008 off-season, Wellwood broke a bone in his right foot while playing indoor soccerIndoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
. With his contract set to expire, the Leafs placed him on waivers on June 24. He was claimed the following day by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
and was signed to a one-year, $998,000 contract. Reporting to training camp, he failed his initial fitness test and, although he passed a later evaluation, he was a healthy scratch to begin the season. On October 17, after having played just one game for the Canucks, he was placed on waivers; after clearing, he was assigned to the Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
of the AHL. Because the addition of Wellwood would have put the Moose over the limit for veteran players, Wellwood started looking at playing options in Europe; however, two days after clearing waivers, injuries to the Canucks forced them to call Wellwood up from the minors, and he cleared re-entry waivers 24 hours later. Wellwood took advantage of this opportunity by getting a goal and an assist in a 4-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and stuck with the club. Later in the season, on February 17, 2009, Wellwood ended a streak of 159 games without a penalty by taking a high-sticking penalty against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. It was his first penalty since April 11, 2006. Wellwood ended his first regular season in Vancouver with 18 goals and 9 assists. Having never reached the post-season with the Maple Leafs, Wellwood made his NHL playoff debut with the Canucks in 2009
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
and scored his first NHL playoff goal in game four of the first round against the St. Louis Blues, helping Vancouver complete a sweep in a 3–2 overtime win.
In the off-season, Wellwood became a restricted free agent. After taking the Canucks to arbitration on July 28, 2009, he was re-signed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract two days later on July 30 ; terms in the collective bargaining agreement did not allow the Canucks to walk away from a ruling of less than $1.57 million. Having earned a reputation in his first Canucks season for a lack of fitness, Wellwood reported to training camp for the 2009–10 season
2009–10 NHL season
The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
15 pounds lighter than in the previous year. He started the season on the third line with Steve Bernier
Steve Bernier
Steve Bernier is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger with the Albany Devils of the American Hockey League...
and Mason Raymond
Mason Raymond
Mason Evan Raymond is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Cochrane, Alberta, he played Junior A in the Alberta Junior Hockey League for two seasons, where he captured league and regional titles with the...
, a combination that coach Alain Vigneault carried over from the latter stages of the 2008–09 season and playoffs. Wellwood was sidelined early in the season, suffering a broken toe after blocking a shot from Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Komisarek
Mike Komisarek
Michael Komisarek is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League .- Amateur years :...
in a game on October 24, 2009, but he returned to the lineup just eight days later, on November 1. He finished the campaign with 14 goals and 25 points in 75 games. He followed that up with a seven-point post-season as the Canucks were eliminated by the Blackhawks in the second round.
KHL and San Jose Sharks
After two seasons in Vancouver, the Canucks let Wellwood become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2010, opting instead to sign Manny MalhotraManny Malhotra
Emmanuel Noveen Malhotra is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League , serving as an alternate captain. During his NHL career he has additionally played for the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks and New...
from the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
as their projected third-line centre. Wellwood's main goal during the off-season was to find an opportunity to play centre on a scoring line. He accepted an invitation to the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
' training camp on a try-out basis. However, he was unable to secure a spot on the Coyotes' roster and was released on October 1. Four days later, Wellwood signed with Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Russian Kontinental Hockey League
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL). In January 2011, he was released from Atlant. Initially it was believed that he had been released due to performance issues, but it was soon revealed that Wellwood was returning to his hometown of Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, for family reasons.
Later in the 2010–11 season, he was reported to have signed with the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
; however, Blues officials denied the report, stating that they were unsure where the information came from. Team general manager Doug Armstrong
Doug Armstrong
Douglas "Doug" Armstrong is the General Manager for the NHL's St. Louis Blues. He is also the former General Manager of the Dallas Stars.-Dallas Stars:...
stated that they were interested in Wellwood but they had not signed him. According to a St. Louis-based reporter, the team was waiting for confirmation of Wellwood's release from Atlant before they finalized the signing. On January 17, Wellwood officially signed a one-year deal with the Blues, but needed to clear re-entry waivers
Waivers (NHL)
Waivers is a National Hockey League labor management procedure by which an NHL team makes a professional ice hockey player’s contract and rights available to all other NHL teams. The term refers to the term that other NHL teams 'waive' any claim to a player designated for assignment, re-entry from...
before joining the team. The following day, he was claimed by the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first goal for the Sharks on February 1, 2011 in a game vs. the Coyotes. Wellwood's goal tied the game at 3–3 and was considered a rallying point for San Jose as they came back to win 5–3 after being down 3–0. In March Wellwood noted that the Sharks were a more mature team and would be better than the Canucks because they've been through more adversity in the playoffs. The two teams eventually met in the Western Conference Finals
2011 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 13, 2011, after the conclusion of the 2010–11 NHL regular season. Game 1 of the Finals was held on June 1, while Game 7 was held on June 15...
. When asked about Wellwoods comments prior to Game 1 of the series former teammate Kevin Bieksa
Kevin Bieksa
Kevin Christopher Bieksa is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League , serving as an alternate captain for the Canucks during away games...
stated "I don't even remember what the weasel said." The Canucks won the series 4–1 advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals
2011 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League , and the culmination of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was the 118th year of the Stanley Cup's presentation. The Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins defeated the Western Conference Champion Vancouver...
.
Winnipeg Jets
After becoming a free agent in the off-season Wellwood signed a one-year $US 700,000 deal with the Winnipeg JetsWinnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
on September, 8th 2011.
International play
As a junior in his fourth and final OHLOntario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
season, Wellwood competed for Team Canada
Canada national junior hockey team
The Canadian men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Canada. The team represents Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Hockey Championship, held annually every December and January...
at the 2003 World Junior Championships
2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
-Group B:All times local .-Relegation round:Results from any games played during the preliminary round were carried forward to the relegation round.All times local ....
, earning a silver medal. He contributed 1 goal and 4 assists in 6 games.
Personal life
Wellwood grew up in OldcastleOldcastle, Ontario
Oldcastle is a small community of about 300-700 inhabitants located south of Windsor, Ontario Canada in the town of Tecumseh, Ontario. Roughly, the boundaries are as follows: North- Highway 3, East- the Chrysler Canada Greenway trail, South- County Rd. 8, West- Howard Ave. It is the starting point...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, just outside of Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
. His brother Eric
Eric Wellwood
Eric Wellwood is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . He is the younger brother of Kyle Wellwood.-Playing career:...
plays for the Adirondack Phantoms
Adirondack Phantoms
The Adirondack Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League , who began play in the 2009–10 AHL season. The Phantoms are based in Glens Falls, New York, playing home games at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Phantoms are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
and was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
. His sister Michelle is a teacher, like their mother Donna was before becoming a firefighter. Wellwood used hockey to escape from troubles at home. Wellwood and his fiancee, Bianca, became parents March 28, 2011 when their son, Roman, was born nine weeks ahead of schedule.
Awards
Major Junior- Eddie Powers Memorial TrophyEddie Powers Memorial TrophyThe Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
(OHL leading scorer) - 2001 - OHL Plus/Minus Award - 2001
- OHL First All-Star Team - 2001
- OHL Player of the Week - October 15, 2002, March 23, 2003
- Silver medal (Team CanadaCanada national junior hockey teamThe Canadian men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Canada. The team represents Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Hockey Championship, held annually every December and January...
) - 2003 World Junior Championships2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships-Group B:All times local .-Relegation round:Results from any games played during the preliminary round were carried forward to the relegation round.All times local .... - CHL Third All-Star Team - 2003
- William Hanley TrophyWilliam Hanley TrophyThe William Hanley Trophy is awarded to the Ontario Hockey League's Most Sportsmanlike Player. It is named for William Hanley, a former secretary-manager of the Ontario Hockey Association who served in that capacity for twenty-five years...
(OHL sportsman of the year) - 2003 - CHL Sportsman of the YearCHL Sportsman of the YearThe CHL Sportsman of the Year Award is given out annually to the most sportsmanlike player in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Philip-Michael Devos, Gatineau Olympiques*2009–10 Jason Bast, Moose Jaw Warriors...
- 2003
AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
- Player of the month - November 2003
- Player of the week - October 31, 2004
NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
- 1st star of the week - December 17, 2006
- 2nd star of the night - April 4, 2011
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1998-99 | Tecumseh Chiefs Tecumseh Chiefs The LaSalle Vipers are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in LaSalle, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Western division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:... |
WOHL | 51 | 22 | 41 | 63 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 1999–2000 OHL season The 1999–2000 OHL season was the 20th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams each played 68 games. The Barrie Colts won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Plymouth Whalers.-Eastern Conference:-Western Conference:-Scoring leaders:... |
Belleville Bulls Belleville Bulls The Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
65 | 14 | 37 | 51 | 14 | 16 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 6 | ||
| 2000–01 | Belleville Bulls | OHL | 68 | 35 | 83 | 118 | 24 | 10 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 4 | ||
| 2001–02 | Belleville Bulls | OHL | 28 | 16 | 24 | 40 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Windsor Spitfires Windsor Spitfires The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The... |
OHL | 26 | 14 | 21 | 35 | 0 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | Windsor Spitfires | OHL | 57 | 41 | 59 | 100 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
St. John's Maple Leafs St. John's Maple Leafs The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
76 | 20 | 35 | 55 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
St John's Maple Leafs | AHL | 80 | 38 | 49 | 87 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2005–06 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 81 | 11 | 34 | 45 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 48 | 12 | 30 | 42 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 59 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 74 | 18 | 9 | 27 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 75 | 14 | 11 | 25 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 KHL season The 2010–11 KHL season is the third season of the Kontinental Hockey League. It was held from 8 September 2010 and ended on 16 April 2011.The season started with the Opening Cup game between the last season's finalists, Ak Bars Kazan and the new team that was created by merging last season's... |
Mytishchi Atlant | KHL | 25 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
San Jose Sharks San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 35 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 373 | 68 | 105 | 173 | 30 | 40 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 0 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships -Group B:All times local .-Relegation round:Results from any games played during the preliminary round were carried forward to the relegation round.All times local .... |
Canada Canada national junior hockey team The Canadian men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Canada. The team represents Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Hockey Championship, held annually every December and January... |
WJC World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world... |
6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Junior int'l totals | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | ||