Welch completed his professional career in Europe, most notably winning two Swedish Hockey League championships with the Växjö Lakers.

[1] After two seasons with the Panthers, Welch was traded along with a third round draft pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Steve Eminger.

[6] He left the Lakers after winning the title and then spent one season with Modo Hockey, before signing with fellow SHL side Malmö Redhawks for the 2016–17 campaign.

While largely affected throughout the season with injury, Welch retired after helping the Lakers claim their second Swedish Championship.

Welch has decided to donate his brain to concussion research at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at the Boston University School of Medicine after his death.