The United States Hockey League announced Thursday that Green Bay Gamblers Defensemen Jordan Schmaltz and Andy Welinski and Forward Alex Broadhurst have been named 1st team All-USHL for the 2011-12 season. Goaltender Ryan McKay and Forward Nolan LaPorte have been named 2nd Team All-USHL for the 2011-12 season.
Schmaltz (Verona, Wis.) was ranked the 8th best North American prospect for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by NHL Central Scouting. He was second in the USHL in scoring from the blue line, appearing in 55 games this season and tallying 10 goals and 31 assists. Schmaltz is committed to the University of North Dakota (WCHA).
Welinski was touted as one of the top defenseman in the USHL this past season. The Duluth, MN native appeared in 54 games during the 2011-12 season for the Gamblers registering 15 goals and 22 assists. Welinski was the top defenseman in goals scored and second in plus/minus rating with a plus 36 rating. Welinski is committed to Minnesota-Duluth and is a 3rd round pick of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks.
Broadhurst led the Gamblers in scoring for the second straight season. In 53 games during the regular season, he scored 26 goals and 47 assists. Broadhurst continued his solid play in the Clark Cup Playoffs, leading the USHL in scoring with 18 points (9 goals, 9 assists). Broadhurst was also the first player in the 33 year history of the USHL to score a shorthanded hat trick in the playoffs in a win against the Youngstown Phantoms in the second round of the playoffs. He’s a 7th round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks.
McKay returned for a third season with the Gamblers and amassed 27 wins in goal, leading all USHL goaltenders in goals against average (2.18). McKay also holds career franchise records for goals against average (2.11), save percentage (.921), and career wins (66).
LaPorte notched a team high 36 goals and added 34 assists in 57 games. The Western Michigan recruit registered 4 goals and 8 assists in 12 Clark Cup Playoff games.