Talking about a good ol’ USA Hockey boy today, folks. Kieffer Bellows has had this sport running through his veins since a small child, and his success at multiple levels has shown. This massive 17-year-old has had blistering-hot production with in the USHL, and the USDP over the past couple of seasons.
Bellows fits the Red Wings needs right now – Size, skill, two-way abilities, has been developed by multiple former NHL players involved with his development… The list goes on.
Player Profile
Name: Kieffer Bellows
Position: Center/Left Wing
Born: June 10th, 1998 — Edina, Minnesota
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 194 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Kyle’s Analysis
Bellows is big-bodied power-forward-like player who likes to shoot first, and throw the body later. He was touted as a punishing forward with the USDP, who would use his big frame to move the opposition. The thing about Bellows is that he’s much more than just a big guy, he can hurt you on the scoreboard as well. Bellows scored 50 goals with the US National U18 Team, and impressed at the U18 World Juniors scoring five goals, and three assists in seven appearances. His scoring abilities have shown that he is truly the son of former NHL star Brian Bellows, who amassed 1,022 NHL points. I’m not saying Kieffer Bellows is on the way to doing that, but hey, good genes are good genes.
Bellows had an extremely successful rookie season in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede. That very team went on to win the 2015 Clark Cup, where Bellows posted 12 points in 12 games. Bellows was eventually named as the USHL’s rookie of the year. Before his tenure in Sioux City, Bellows won multiple titles with the Edina Hornets in the Minnesota state hockey tournaments where he was coached by Curt Giles, a former NHL defenseman. Bellows is now committed to Boston University, and seems to be taking the path that many high-octane talent players have before him. He strikes me as a great model for a pure top-six power forward like David Backes.
From Curtis Joe at EliteProspects:
Kieffer Bellows is a skilled power forward that can dominate games. Possesses high end puckhandling ability as well as a crisp, accurate release on his shot. Proficient forechecker and loves to win puck battles, which stands out as a consistent part of his game. Strong skater that can bull through the opposition or go around them. Drives the net hard and is a decisive finisher. All-in-all, a competitor that punishes the opposition physically, as well as on the scoreboard.
Rankings
NHL CSS: 10 (NA Skaters)
Future Considerations: 17
McKeen’s: 23
ISS: 17
Bottom Line
Kieffer Bellows will fall right into Detroit’s wheelhouse, I am sure. I think he’s a great prospect with a ceiling as tall as the sky, given the way he was raised on hockey from day one, being coached and developed by former NHL players. With time he’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get faster, and he could keep his ability to play larger than life.
I’m sure the Wings have scouted this kid thoroughly. We know that they value size along with the ability to play a two-way game, and have a physical edge. The great thing about Bellows is that while having all of this, he can still put the puck in the net. I think he’d be a great pick at 16th overall as a potential second or first line winger some day in the NHL.
Highlights
YouTube user bigwhite06
Would you be happy with drafting Kieffer Bellows at 16th overall?
| Yes | 345 |
| No | 63 |
