Belan Signs With Toledo, Makes Professional Debut

Former local hockey player Kris Belan signed his first professional hockey contract with the Toledo Walleyes of the ECHL after finishing his University career with the University of Guelph Gryphons.

Belan, the captain of the Guelph Gryphons this season, grew up moving through the Bothwell Minor Hockey and Chatham-Kent Cyclones system, before playing Junior hockey locally for both the Dresden Jr. Kings and Wallaceburg Lakers. Belan played beside his brother Brayden, who was also a member of Wallaceburg and Dresden.

This season in Guelph, Belan collected 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points in 24 games for the Guelph Gryphons before they were eliminated 3 games to 2 by Lakehead University in their opening playoff series.

The Toledo Walleye signed Belan March 6.

Belan joins other local hockey products including Wes Cunningham and Jason Missiaen in the ECHL, which is considered to be ‘AA’ hockey in North America, trailing only the NHL and AHL in calibre.

Belan, who grew up just outside Florence, Ontario, made his professional hockey début Friday night with the Toledo Walleye in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Reading Royals. Kris Belan finished without a point, but was +1, picked up a 2-minute minor for roughing, and registered a shot on goal.