It’s been 688 days since forward Kieffer Bellows last skated in an NHL game. Tonight he’s set to make his Nashville Predators debut after spending most of the season with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL.
“It’s exciting today to see my name in the lineup. It’s been a little bit but the butterflies and the joy are still there no matter what if you’re in the NHL,” Bellows said. “Every day I get to play hockey is a good day so I’m excited and ready to help these guys get some wins.”
To this point in his career, Bellows has 95 NHL games under his belt scoring 28 points (14 G – 14 A).
He was drafted 19th overall by the New York Islanders back in 2016. After that, he played one season of college hockey at Boston University then one year of junior in the WHL for the Portland Winterhawks.
This season he has 29 points in 41 games with the Admirals, good for the second-most on the team behind Cal O’Reilly (32 points).
The 26-year-old will slot in for Mark Jankowski who did not return to play in the third period on Saturday night against the New Jersey Devils.
Just two years ago Bellows was at the Carolina Hurricanes training camp on a tryout and then was released. He went on to sign with the Toronto Marlies for the 2023-24 season scoring 49 points in 52 games.
It was a journey well worth taking back to the NHL after signing a one-year deal with Nashville last season.
“You think about all the tough times along with the good and bad moments that led up to this moment getting another NHL game,” Bellows said. “I know there’s work that led to this moment but there’s work now that I have to put in and have to put in every single day in practice and in games that will help me solidify myself.”
Bellows will be on the third line with center Tommy Novak and Luke Evangelista on the opposite wing as the Predators take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
He’s hoping to add to Nashville’s depth in a positive light. Bellows’ shooter mentality has earned him more opportunities and the relentless mentality has kept him afloat.
“I want to be a guy that brings a lot of energy to this team, I love to shoot, love to get in the dirty areas, create secondary chances, and be around the net to help these guys offensively,” Bellows said. “Just do whatever I can to help them win and being strong defensively is the key.”
After watching the Predators from the press box so far he’s noticed how much his linemates feed off each other. While it’s chemistry Evangelista and Novak have established Bellows wants to make sure he just adds small elements as he gets going against the Panthers on Tuesday evening.
Bellows isn’t worried about having any rust at the NHL level after playing under Admirals head coach Karl Taylor. Since he’s been coached under relatively the same system it should make for a seamless return.
“I think for me it’s about taking it one shift at a time, I think that’s going to be the main focus tonight,” Bellows said smiling revealing a chipped front tooth he suffered in a recent series against the Manitoba Moose.
He’ll don number 26 on the back of his sweater, the 10th player to do so in team history.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Top photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Admirals
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