Louie Belpedio

February 2021 – Belpedio is back in the AHL for yet another season, failing to even crack Minnesota’s taxi squad. The four-year NCAA man is positioned to tack on a third AHL season to his resume. His NHL odds fall with every year that he fails to break into the league. Sam Happi

March 2019 – The talented puck moving defencemen has enjoyed a good season in the AHL. Belpedio has shown the ability to effectively exit the zone with control. While he does need work in his own zone, he has shown improvement. Belpedio has learned to use his strengths and rely on his stick work and skating over trying to be physical against opponents. While he does not shy away from contact, he plays a bit more of a methodical game in his own zone using his high hockey IQ to be in position to make a play on the puck carrier. Belpedio has played two games with the Minnesota Wild this year and has not looked completely out of place at a level above. While he has offensive upside, his skill set may not lead to counting stats that matter to fantasy owners. A potential “second pairing defencemen with excellent zone exits and the ability to clear his own zone” is likely his ceiling as his skill set may not play on a primary power play in the NHL. Tony Ferrari

October 2018 – Belpido has been progressing steadily since the Wild selected him 80^th overall in 2014. He has not really blown the doors off at any level but his puck-moving mentality and willingness to jump up into the play should make fantasy poolies pay attention. He has worked the power play for the RedHawks and should see similar deployment in Iowa with Alex Grant heading to the KHL. Louie can struggle defensively so that is where he will need to improve to make the big stage. Right now he is a good under the radar add in deeper leagues that have minor systems. If he can carve out a decent role with Iowa this season which I expect him to do, he won’t be so under the radar come next season. Don’t be surprised if Louie gets a call-up or two this season. Tyler Matson

April 2018 – Belpedio was widely rumoured to be a major name available as a UFA come August, but Minnesota thankfully managed to snag him on an ELC. He is a bright spot in Minnesota’s weak defensive pipeline, and he could be a real player. A bit of a shaky start in Iowa still earned him an NHL game, registering two assists. He is an offensive player who can drive play with his shot. His defensive game continues to need improvement, but there could be a solid player there with special teams value. Will Scouch

January 2018 – it appears Belpedio’s NCAA career will end with an exclamation point. 20 points in 22 games puts him in the thick of the top-10 nationwide for scoring by defensemen, and his two-way play appears to have improved quite a bit. Being involved in 30% of Miami U’s goals is a remarkable achievement for a defender, and it’s looking like he’ll be a great signing if he chooses to stay with Minnesota. He may also try his luck on the open market in August, however, and could be a hot commodity. Will Scouch

October 2017 – Last time I updated you on Louis Belpedio, he was an offensively talented defenseman who needed to work on shoring up his defensive play. So far in the young 2017-18 campaign, Belpedio has gotten off to a much more noticeable start with six points in six games, managing an even plus-minus. He is in his final year of NHL rights with Minnesota, and he seems to be making his mark. Minnesota’s rights expire in August 2018, and their window of signing him likely opens in mid to late March, unless Miami goes on a serious national title run. I imagine with Minnesota’s overall lack of real offensive talent in their defensive prospects that they’ll push hard to sign him, especially if he continues his point per game pace. It will be interesting to see if any other NHL teams keep an eye on him over the year to see if they would be interested in negotiating with him in August if he can keep up his great offensive play. Will Scouch

January 2017 – As the new captain of the Miami University RedHawks, Louis Belpedio is quietly having a bounce-back January after a pointless December on a rebounding RedHawks team. Registering nine points in eight games since the new year when Miami has managed 22 goals, Belpedio has shown his ability to not only move the puck, but shoot it as well, registering six goals thus far. Size is an issue for any defenceman under 5-11, but it appears Belpedio is developing his tools well as time goes on. Defensive skill is also an area where he could show some improvement, but with one more season before his rights expire, it’s likely he will continue to develop and earn an ELC for a shot with the big club either this year or next. Will Scouch

August 2016 – While he’s not built like him or possesses the same type of ceiling, Louis Belpedio presented some similarities through development camp to Seth Jones. Granted, given that he doesn’t have the ceiling or athleticism, Belpedio is much more conscientious of when he is out of position and is quick to remedy such instances. He could make some noise during the upcoming training camp but still needs more seasoning. Edric Joseph

July 2016 – Louie Belpedio showed a feisty edge to his game throughout the camp but not to the point of which it got in the way. He’s still making good progress and has been able to remain involved in the play without being a defensive liability. Unlikely to make the big roster as yet but could be a force in due course. Edric Joseph

January 2016– As an alternate captain for Team USA at the Under-20 World Junior Championships Belpedio struggled to pilot the American powerplay, mustering only two points through seven games. He showed promise but not much that we haven’t seen from him before as a rearguard at Miami of Ohio. Edric Joseph

September 2015 – Belpedio left the Wild front office very pleased when they acquired his NHL rights last summer at the 2014 entry draft and his freshman season did little to disappoint. He proved to be a capable offensive sparkplug that would jumpstart the offensive rushes in a timely fashion by netting 19 points through his 40 game campaign. His primary concern remains his lack of size and how it would hinder his ability to handle the major professional ranks. That notwithstanding, Belpedio would favorably quarterback a professional club’s powerplay in a similar style to Sami Vatanen should he continue to develop. Edric Joseph

March 2015- Still a couple years away from cracking the NHL roster, Louis Belpedio has slowly announced himself as one to watch. Formidable character, and it shows in how he takes the ice. Belpedio gets out there and plays in the only gear he know; full throttle. He will most likely need to temper his enthusiasm when he gets to the next level which frankly is not a bad problem to have. In the meantime he will likely get a long by Team USA for the world juniors next year when they are looking for a rearguard that can control the tempo and pilot the offence. He will garner this serious consideration in light of how he is off to a strong start for the University of Miami where he has 20 points in 32 games today playing the toughest minutes they have to offer him. Edric Joseph