Ducks defenseman prospect Andy Welinski, who helped his Green Bay Gamblers to a Clark Cup championship this season, has been named to the All-USHL First Team presented by CCM as determined by a vote of USHL coaches and general managers.

Welinski, a 2011 third round draft pick (83rd overall) by Anaheim, was also recently named the USHL Defenseman of the Year after putting up 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 54 regular season games.  His 15 goals tied for the lead among USHL defensemen and his plus-35 rating was the third-best mark in the entire league. 

Welinski anchored the Gamblers defense which allowed 2.30 goals per game (the lowest mark in the USHL) and helped Green Bay achieve a plus-112 goal differential this season. The Duluth, Minnesota native will return home next season to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Among the All-USHL Teams are four players that have been selected in the NHL Draft, several that are top prospects for the upcoming 2012 NHL Draft, and 13 players that have committed to NCAA Division I college hockey programs.  The Clark Cup champion Green Bay Gamblers led the way with five players selected, including three on the First Team, while the Indiana Ice had three players named to the All-USHL Teams for the second consecutive season.

All-USHL First Team selections along with Welinski include goaltender Zane Gothberg of the Fargo Force, defenseman Jordan Schmaltz of the Green Bay Gamblers and forwards Alex Broadhurst of the Green Bay Gamblers, Zemgus Girgensons of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, Kevin Roy of the Lincoln Stars, and Daniil Tarasov of the Indiana Ice.