Locals lead youth at Twin Ports Pro Development Camp

Since founding the Twin Ports Pro Development Camp (TPPDC) in 2016 Superior native Brett Olson focused on coaching local kids led by talented local staff.

This year, with the camp beginning Monday, is no different.

Duluth native, and former University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey captain, Andy Welinski is once again offering his expertise. A 29-year-old defenseman he skated in 52 games last season with the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate helping them to the AHL Western Conference finals.

Then just over a week ago, before hitting the ice in Superior for the TPPDC, he signed a one-year deal with the New York Rangers.

"Still in a position to break into the NHL and this was the best opportunity for me to go to New York and somewhere that I haven’t really been," Welinski shared. "On the east coast I did one year, but other than that I’ve been on the west coast so I’m looking forward to going back to the east coast, and hopefully I have a good opportunity there."

Welinski said that he will ship off to training camp sometime in September.

Joining him as a pillar of this year’s TPPDC is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s hockey forward Addie Young.

A Superior native and former Spartan she finished her senior season posting seven goals and 10 assists in 29 collegiate games. Now Young said she’s happy to be giving back to her home community for the second summer.

"It’s great, just hope to be a hometown hero for them, but I mean these kids are from all over and it’s great to see that they come here to go to this camp," Young said.

The camp runs through Thursday.