LETHBRIDGE – Early in Lethbridge Hurricanes training camp, Jordy Bellerive is proving he was worth the wait.
The highly-skilled forward has been touted by many as the best player on the ice in rookie camp. He’s a welcome sight after months of worrying that the second overall pick in the 2014 WHL bantam draft would never suit up for the Hurricanes at all.
“When I was drafted, the organization was going a little bit slow,” said Bellerive. Six seasons without making the playoffs, highly-publicized trade requests by numerous players, and financial struggles made up the organization’s many problems.
But after many conversations with Peter Anholt, hired as the Hurricanes general manager this past spring, Bellerive was convinced the team could turn its luck around.
“When Peter was hired as the general manager and then he hired (head coach) Brent (Kisio), I just knew it was really a right step in the right direction,” said Bellerive.
A product of North Vancouver, B.C., Bellerive is familiar with the WHL after watching his brother, Matt, play five seasons in the league with four different teams. He believes he knows what it takes to succeed.
“I’m pretty confident,” said Bellerive. “I’ve been working hard for a lot of years for this; it’s been the dream growing up as a kid. So I think mentally I’m ready, and I feel good on the ice, so hopefully physically I’ll be ready too.”
Barring a major upset, Bellerive will suit up as a rookie with the Hurricanes this season. However, even the most highly-touted 16-year-old freshmen can struggle to adapt to the league, so the coaching staff is being careful to keep expectations measured.
“He’s one of the guys you expect to come in and be one of the dominant guys here at camp and he hasn’t disappointed,” said Kisio. “It’s going to be hard for him to over-achieve his expectations off the start, but I just want him to play his game. He’s a special player.”
He’s the kind of player the Hurricanes have been waiting on to help turn the team’s fortunes around.
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