The Saint John Vito's defenceman was the first New Brunswicker taken in the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft, going 16th overall to the Moncton Wildcats. But had Bellamy grown up a Sea Dogs fan?
"I was, for a long time. I always followed them," Bellamy told reporters after the conclusion of the first round at Harbour Station. "They came in in 2005, I'm pretty sure, and I just fell in love with them. They were sweet. And now I'm in love with the Moncton Wildcats."
Did he convert to Wildcats fandom that quickly on Saturday?
"Oh yeah, I was pretty quick to do that."
Bellamy had 11 goals and 11 assists in 32 games with the Vito's last season. He added four goals and three assists in 10 playoff games.
The 2017 draft seemed to continue a trend: the Sea Dogs take Moncton players while the Wildcats take Saint John players. Saint John drafted two Moncton Flyers this year while Moncton selected a Vito's d-man and a Rothesay Netherwood forward.
The Sea Dogs selected Flyers forward and Moncton native Aiden MacIntosh in the fourth round.
"I think it will be fun playing in front of friends and family at home," said MacIntosh about playing with Saint John in Moncton. "I'm just really happy to be a part of the Sea Dogs."
DRAFT OVERVIEW
Sportsnet.ca examined the top 10 picks from last weekend's QMJHL Entry Draft along with some other notable selections.
The Halifax Mooseheads have the potential to be scary good in 2018-19 (or even this coming season) thanks to a few strong drafts. It'll be interesting to see if Alex Newhook, a 16-year-old St. John's native who is committed to Boston College, chooses the Moose over NCAA hockey.
"Committed to Boston College for the 2019-20 season, it’s expected he will play for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL next season in order to maintain his NCAA eligibility," writes Jonathan Briggins. "The chances that Newhook plays in the QMJHL are low, but at pick 41, it was a calculated gamble."
VLOG
Photographer John Morris released this video blog of draft day.
NOEL ON THE DRAFT
The Athletic has a good story on Nathan Noel's two very different NHL Draft experiences. He attended the draft with family and friends in 2015 but was not selected. The following year, Noel wasn't even watching when the Chicago Blackhawks picked selected him.
BEAULIEU'S NUMBER
— Canadiens MontrĂ©al (@CanadiensMTL) June 6, 2017The more you know.
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