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Confidence is key for young Hurricanes sniper

Mar 10, 2017 | 8:15 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Players trickle off the ice, one or two at a time, following practice at the ENMAX Centre.

On this day, Lethbridge News Now is looking to talk to Jordy Bellerive, one of the key pieces of the future for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

You can hear the unmistakable sound of skates clicking down the corridor, but every time the player comes around the corner it’s somebody else, until, finally there’s only one player left on the ice. When Bellerive does come off, he has to quickly rush to a team meeting, but says he’ll be right back. A few minutes later, the door to the Hurricanes dressing room bursts opens and he walks out with a broad smile on his face, offering an apology for the wait.

Bellerive was taken second overall in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, and went on to impress immediately, putting up a respectable 36-points in his rookie season. One year later, he’s sixth in team scoring with 53-points in 65 games, and is fifth in goals with 25.

That’s where the interview starts, with the question of how difficult it was to come in and start contributing at such a level right away.

“I don’t think too much of it, obviously that’s kind of my role, I’ve always been a high scoring guy growing up,” he said matter-of-factly. “I was kind of expecting that and I like it, it gives me a challenge and makes it a little more fun for me.

“That’s just always something I took pride in,” Bellerive continued. “I’m a smaller guy, I try to be more skilled and shifty around the net. I try to contribute in all zones of the ice, but I think offensively, with my shot and my skill-set around the net, I think those are what kind of drive me.”

Of course, if you’ve seen him play, that’s not the only thing that stands out about Bellerive’s game. The word ‘pest’ comes to mind, but instead I ask about his ‘intensity’, which simply makes him laugh.

“I’m a very competitive person,” he says with a chuckle. “I like to compete out there and I don’t like to have any friends on the ice. I kind of like to compare myself to [Boston Bruins forward] Brad Marchand, you know, he’s a skilled, offensive guy but likes to get under the skin of the other guys, so that’s something I take pride in also.”

Away from the rink though, the 17-year old says is a completely different story, as he’s rarely that fired up.

“I think probably a different perception of what people think of me on the ice, I kind of look angry and try to piss guys off a lot out there. Off the ice, a lot of guys call me a big teddy bear and a big, soft, funny guy. It’s kind of two different personalities, one off the ice and one on. I like to joke around and have fun and lighten it up around the dressing room.”

Talking to the young forward from North Vancouver, it’s apparent that he is extremely comfortable in his own skin. He discusses the shortcomings in his game — namely his defensive play — and how he intends to fix them. He also takes a few minutes to go over how he wants to improve on his strengths — saying his skating can always be better — doing it with a confidence that is his hallmark.

Going forward, he knows more will be expected of him. With players like leading scorer Tyler Wong graduating from the WHL after this season, more of the work-load will fall on his shoulders. One of the greatest challenges will be to re-establish a leadership core, but that’s something he’s confident he can be a major part of.

“Obviously, it’s going to be tough, those are great leaders, Wonger is always taking me under his wing the last two years, so I’ve learned a lot from him and a lot from the other guys. I’m wearing an ‘A’ this year, so it’s a bit of a start of the leadership for me. Whatever letter I wear, it’s all about working hard on and off the ice, and teaching the young guys what I’ve learned.

“Just trying to be a leader any way I can.”

Into the Hurricane
Check back every Friday during the regular season for a look at the players you cheer for.

Brennan Menell – (March 3, 2017)

Zak Zborosky – (Feb. 24, 2017)