With two assists against Laurentian last weekend, Ravens first-year forward Brett Welychka (London, ON) tied, then broke the Carleton men's hockey program single-season modern-era record (2007-present) for points (41).
"It’s something Brett should be very proud of, given the fact he’s in his first year at Carleton," said men's hockey head coach Marty Johnston. "He's been part of a very good top line for our team."
Playing on Carleton’s top line alongside team leaders Michael McNamee (Perth, ON) and Ryan Van Stralen (Prescott, ON), Welychka has broken the record—previously held by Brandon MacLean (40 pts in 2011-12)—with two games to spare.
Former Ravens men's hockey player Wayne Small holds Carleton's single-season points record with 63 points (38G/25A) during the 1968-69 season.
“Brandon (MacLean) got to the American League, and we hope that in time Brett has success at the same level Brandon does," added coach Johnston.
Welychka, a feisty forward who captained the Belleville Bulls last season, still has an outside chance at winning the national scoring title—as a rookie. With two games remaining, the versatile forward trails UQTR’s Guillaume Asselin by five points for the outright national lead.
“I’ve never really been a crazy points guy, but this year I’ve really tried to come in and be that guy,” said Welychka earlier this season. “It’s a credit to my linemates—we’ve found some good chemistry and obviously talk a lot and play well together.”
Factor in Friday’s head-to-head matchup between Welychka’s Ravens and Asselin’s Patriotes, and Welychka getting another crack at the last-placed RMC Paladins—a team he’s scored eight points against in two games—on Saturday, and the national scoring race is tight indeed.
“We’ve got a pretty tight-knit group and we came into this season with high expectations,” said Welychka, who joined the Ravens after a four-year OHL career spent largely with the London Knights. “We’re getting contributions from everywhere; rookies (like myself) are scoring, and things are going pretty well.”
Come watch Welychka and the rest of the Ravens in their final home stand of the regular season this weekend, as the freshman sensation guns for a national scoring title and the Ravens jockey for playoff position.
