Welinski made his NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 11, 2017, and the defenseman got his first point that night, assisting on Logan Shaw's game-winning goal 1:52 into the third period of a 3-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. He had another assist in his second game, three nights later against the St. Louis Blues.

He was up for four games in his first stint and then returned to San Diego of the American Hockey League on Dec. 30. Welinski was recalled for a second time March 20, and played the final three games of the regular season, as well as Games 1, 3 and 4 of the Ducks' Western Conference First Round series against the San Jose Sharks.

The Ducks selected Welinski in the third round (No. 83) of the 2011 NHL Draft. In 2011-12 he helped Green Bay win the United States Hockey League championship and he was named the league's top defensemen. He played four seasons at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and was captain as a senior in 2015-16.

Welinski signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks on April 4, 2016, and was assigned to San Diego, where he had three assists in 13 combined AHL regular-season and playoff games.

He spent 2016-17 with San Diego learning the professional game, and had 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) in 63 games.

In 2017-18 he had 44 points (10 goals, 34 assists) in 51 games with San Diego.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• USHL First All-Star Team (2012)
• WCHA All-Rookie Team (2013)
• NCHC Second All-Star Team (2015, 2016)