Nelson Home Building Centre Leafs Player Profile of the Week — Travis Wellman
By The Nelson Daily Sports
At 5’5”, 145 pounds, Travis Wellman isn’t going to overpower a lot of teams in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
However, Junior B players don’t need great physical size to be stars.
Which is why Wellman is doing his talking with his scoring and currently leads the entire league in goals with 13 to start the 2013-14 campaign.
Day by day the Nelson Leafs march toward hosting the 2014 Cyclone Taylor Cup.
The Nelson Daily.com, in conjunction with Nelson Home Building Centre present the Leafs Player Profile of the Week.
This week we take a look at Calgary native Travis Wellman, who came to the Green and White in an off-season trade with the Castlegar Rebels along with linemate Jamie Vlanich.
The two have been nothing short of sensational as they have led Nelson to a 5-0-1 record and top spot in the Neil Murdoch Division — with Wellman topping the KIJHL scoring race with 13 goals in seven games.
Wellman & Company face a big Murdoch Division test this weekend when the Leafs host Beaver Valley Nitehawks Friday at the NDCC Arena before entering into a home-and-home series with Castlegar Rebels — the final tilt going Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in the Heritage City.
Nelson Home Building Centre Leafs Player Profile of the Week.
Travis Wellman
Born: Calgary, Alta.
Age: 19
Size: 5’5” 145 pounds
Pre-game meal: Some sort of pasta before every game.
Favourite NHL Player: Martin St. Louis
Favourite NHL Team: Calgary Flames
Junior Hockey Stats: 95 games, 16 goals, 30 assists, 46 points
Previous teams: Calgary Bisons Bantam AAA (2007-08); CBHA Blackhawks Minor Midget AAA (2008-09): CBHA Rangers Midget AA (2009-10); Calgary Buffaloes Midget AAA (2009-11); Lloydminster Bobcats, Calgary Canucks, Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL), Castlegar Rebels (KIJHL) (2012-13).
The Nelson Daily.com:
What brought you to Nelson?
Travis Wellman: I wanted to come to Nelson because the Leeafs are hosting Cyclone (Taylor) Cup. Obviously everyone wants to win another championship . . . I was part of one last year in Castlegar. I just wanted to give myself another shot in my last year of junior.
TND.com: Biggest Hockey Accomplishment?
TW: Probably say when I made Junior A. I made the Lloydminster Bobcats (of the Alberta Junior Hockey League). It was a pretty good team that year and had a lot of fun playing Junior A.
TND.com: What like about the Leafs?
TW:I think we play a similar style to what we had last season in Castlegar. I believe we have a little more depth here. Other than that we play a similar style . . . we have a good group of guys who I think are going to go pretty far this year.
TND.com: Secret for early success scoring goals?
TW:I’ve scored some goals in my career. I think right now pucks are just going my way. My line mates are really setting me up . . . puck are going my way right now. . .. I like it.
