Flames sign Andy Welinski (one year, $750,000)

The Calgary Flames have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed defenceman Andy Welinski, the team announced Thursday afternoon.

In 2021–22, Welinski will be paid at salary rates of $750,000 in the NHL and $375,000 in the AHL. He’s guaranteed to earn a minimum of $400,000.

Welinski, 28, has scored six points (one goal, five assists) in 46 career NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks. He was the Ducks’ second of two third-round selections (83rd overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

The Duluth, MN product attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 2012 to 2016 before signing an entry-level deal with Anaheim at the conclusion of the 2015–16 season.

Welinski spent parts of four seasons in the Ducks organization before signing with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2019 as an unrestricted free agent. After spending the entire 2019–20 season in the American Hockey League, Welinski returned to the Ducks on a one-year contract for the 2020–21 campaign.

In 191 career AHL games with the San Diego Gulls and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Welinski has totalled 32 goals and 104 points. He only played three games with San Diego in 2020–21; also last year, he appeared in 13 NHL contests with Anaheim and scored no points.

Welinski stands 6’1″ and weighs 201 pounds. He’ll require waivers to be assigned to the Stockton Heat.