Parting Schotts

Hurricanes prospect and ex-Dutchmen star Welsh works out at Messa Rink (with two videos)

Jeremy Welsh returned to Union College this week.

No, he's not returning for his senior season with the Dutchmen hockey team, but he is working out with them.

Welsh is spending the week with the team before heading to Charlotte, N.C., for the start of Charlotte Checkers' training camp next week. The Checkers are the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, the team Welsh signed with shortly after Union was eliminated from the Frozen Four.

Welsh was hoping to be in the Hurricanes' camp later this week. But, thanks to the NHL lockout, Welsh needed a place to work out before going to Charlotte.

"It’s strange and a little different,” the 23-year-old Welsh said Tuesday at Messa Rink. "I kind of feel like the old guy popping in. It's different vibes and stuff, but it's good to see all the guys and catch up a little bit."

Welsh signed a two-year deal with the Hurricanes on Sept. 11, and was all set to attend his first training camp with them this weekend. But knowing that the NHL lockout was looming, Welsh started to make alternative plans. Those plans were finalized when the collective bargaining agreement between the owners and NHL Players Association expired at midnight Sunday, starting the lockout.

"I haven't worried about [the lockout] too much at all," the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Welsh said. "It's outside of my control. I'm looking at the positive of it. It's a pretty good thing for me. I'm going to go to Charlotte and play there, whether it's for two or three months before NHL camp kicks off. I feel like I'll be more prepared after being there and learning the pro system and getting into their system, so when camp kicks off, I'll be more ready than I would be this Friday."

To read more about Welsh, check out Wednesday's print edition as well as here on the website.

I do have two videos.

To watch Welsh work out, click here.

To watch my interview with Welsh and coach Rick Bennett, and to get a look at the ECAC Hockey championship ring, To watch Welsh work out, click here.

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