New York Islanders‘ 1st round pick in the 2016 draft (#19 overall) left wing Keiffer Bellows(15) was reassigned maybe a little early to affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers but it’s likely they likely felt the point-per-game skater for Portland Winterhawks of the WHL was in need of some minor league seasoning before he’s ready to play in the show.
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. forward is off to a decent start with a goal and 2 assists in 9 AHL games but really looks to gain steam and start popping that puck in the net with more frequency as he skates hard and plays a full-on style.
Taking a bit of an odd route to turning pro, he started with a pair of campaigns in the USHL, first with Sioux Falls Stampede, where he won the 2015 Clark Cup Championship, then went onto to a year with the USNTDP club leading to Boston University.
He lasted only one season of college hockey before splitting for more ice time in Canadian juniors.
At just 20-years old with a nice three-year entry level deal signed, it really looks like he’ll grow into his game, not unlike his dad, Brian Bellows, a veteran of 1,188 NHL games.