By Gavin Lindahl
Staff Writer
At five foot eleven inches and 140 pounds, sophomore Billy Weltzer doesn’t fit the typical bill for a college hockey defenseman. But according to Weltzer, his size has never deterred him in his more than 15 years of playing.
“Being a smaller player, you have to be smarter about what you do on the ice,” Weltzer said. “You have to rely on your instincts instead of relying on strength.”
Weltzer joined the Bonnies last season after a successful high school career, at Downingtown East High School where his team made the Eastern Pennsylvania regionals his junior and senior years.
“My team was always the underdog, but we made it to the semis every year against the team that would eventually win regionals,” Weltzer said. “We came together and played fantastic, and I love my high school team for that.”
The transition to college wasn’t smooth, however, according to Weltzer.
“I was on the ice a lot last year when the other team scored,” Weltzer said. “That wasn’t something I was prepared for coming out of high school.”
Since joining the Bonnies, however, Weltzer said that his plus/minus has improved – a focal point of the defenseman’s game.
“I never really rush the puck because I like to play defense first,” said Weltzer. “I know my job. I’m good for around five points per season, so my job is to keep pucks out of our net first.”
Points may not be the point for Weltzer, who tries to base his play off of two-way Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, but that doesn’t stop him from getting the offense going, Weltzer said.
“I think I’m a decent passer, and I like setting up plays,” Weltzer said. “To be a defenseman who makes smart plays, who sets up the forwards for success, that’s something I admire and something I want to continue to do.”
Weltzer is part of a young core of blue-liners for the Bonnies — a unit which will be successful in the future, according to Weltzer.
“We have some big bodies and offensively-gifted defensemen,” Weltzer said. “We have a lot of work to do to improve, myself included, but I can see us being very solid and able to compete against other good teams.”
The defensemen on the team may be young and full of promise, but according to Weltzer, the future of the overall team is unknown with the departure of this year’s seniors.
Regardless of skill or leadership, however, Weltzer said that the Bonnies’ physical approach and relentless attitude is something that will continue for the rest of the season.
“Sometimes we don’t get the bounces, or we have mental lapses the other teams can capitalize on, but there is always a tremendous amount of effort left – we’ll never stop working,” Weltzer said. “The fans can expect more hard-fought games. Playing in front of friends and family gives you a boost that is indescribable.”
Weltzer, who picked St. Bonaventure for its academics, said hockey still went into his college decision. According to Weltzer, hockey and the friends that come with it are a part of his life that cannot be replaced.
“Since I was four, I’ve never gone a year without playing,” Weltzer said. “The friends I’ve made – the memories I have – no matter what it comes down to, I’ll do anything for my team. These guys are my brothers on and off the ice.”
