Edina's Bellows, U.S. to face Sweden in WJC semis
Rather than focus exclusively on the Minnesota Wild’s top prospects, we’re taking a look at the best players from across the State of Hockey every week.
From high school to the pros, check out our recap of all the week’s events in Minnesota hockey, as we check in with college players, prep standouts and State of Hockey alums.
Let’s take a look at this week’s three-star selection, along with other notes, in the latest edition of the State of Hockey Tracker.
FIRST STAR
Kieffer Bellows, F, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
This Edina native leads the world junior championship with six goals after powering the U.S. to a win over Russia in the quarterfinals. He got the U.S. on the board less than three minutes into the game, scoring a power play goal on a one-timer from the right circle. The aftermath produced one of the most memorable images of the tournament as Bellows -- the son of former NHLer Brian Bellows -- leapt into the boards to celebrate, pausing directly in front of a fan wearing his father's Minnesota North Stars jersey. He scored the game-winner with 7:30 to go in the third, roofing a loose puck after defenseman Dylan Samberg's dump-in ricocheted off the end boards. The U.S. takes on Sweden in the semis Thursday at 3 p.m., while Canada faces the Czech Republic in the other semifinal at 7 p.m.
SECOND STAR
Jordan Greenway, F, Boston University (Hockey East)
Greenway was named to the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team earlier this week, the first African-American hockey player ever to represent the U.S. at this level. A product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, Greenway already has an expansive international resume. He won gold in 2015 as a member of the under-18 team, then helped the U.S. to its fourth gold medal at the world junior championship last year. A second-round pick of the Wild in 2015, the 6-foot-6 forward is currently in the midst of his junior season at Boston University, where he has 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists) in 19 games. Greenway is one of four college players on the roster.
THIRD STAR
Brock Boeser, F, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
An inexplicable healthy scratch to start the season, this Burnsville native is having a rookie season for the ages. Boeser has 21 goals in 37 games this year, tied with New York Islanders star John Tavares for fourth in the league. He scored four goals in nine games during a brief run with the Canucks last season after leaving the University of North Dakota, and is now the fastest player in Vancouver history to reach 25 career goals. No. 2 on that list? Hall of Famer Pavel Bure.
AROUND THE RINK
-- Gophers forward and Buffalo Sabres pick Casey Mittelstadt is having quite the tournament as well. He leads the WJC with 10 points in five games.
-- The U.S. women's Olympic team features seven Minnesota-born players: Maddie Rooney, Sidney Morin, Kelly Pannek, Dani Cameranesi, Lee Stecklein, Hannah Brandt and Gigi Marvin.
-- Wild prospect Dmitry Sokolov led Russia (eliminated by the U.S. on Tuesday) with 18 shots on goal. He scored one goal and picked up two assists in the tournament.
-- Wild prospect Kirill Kaprizov had three points in three games last week for CSKA Moscow.
-- Lake City's Taylor Heise will captain the U.S. Under-18 women's national team in 2018. The U-18 world championships run from Jan. 6-13 in Dmitrov, Russia.
