Belpedio, 21, signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) on March 16 and has tallied two assists in 10 AHL games. He tallied 30 points (9-21=30) and appeared in all 37 games for Miami University (NCHC) during his senior season setting career highs in goals, assists and points and was named to All-NCHC Second Team.
The 5-foot-11, 193-pound native of Skokie, Ill., served as captain for the second consecutive season and led the team in shots on goal (126), power-play points (17) and power-play assists (12), ranked T-1st in assists, second in plus/minus rating (plus-4), T-2nd in scoring and power-play goals (five) and third in blocked shots (46). He ranked second amongst NCAA defensemen in shots on goals, T-9th in goals and power-play points and 11th in scoring and was named NCHC Defenseman of the Week three times.
Belpedio was named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team and was Honorable Mention All-NCHC in 2016-17. He served as an alternate captain during his sophomore season and was named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team. After posting 19 points (6-13=19) in 40 games during his freshman season in 2014-15, he was named to the 2015 NCHC All-Rookie Team and as a finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year.
He was also named to the 2015 NCHC All-Tournament Team after posting four points (2-2=4) in five tournament games. He collected 83 points (25-58=83) including 16 power-play goals and 139 penalty minutes (PIM) in 135 career games during four seasons with the RedHawks (2014-18). He ranks fifth in school history in goals by a defenseman, eighth in scoring and ninth in assists.
Belpedio served as an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2016 World Junior Championship, helping the United States earn the bronze medal. He also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2014 Under-18 World Championship and was named the team's top defenseman by tournament coaches. He totaled 19 points (5-14=19) and 47 PIM in 64 games during two seasons with the U.S. National Junior Development Program, serving as captain with the Under-18 Team in 2013-14. Belpedio was selected by Minnesota in the third round (80th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and will wear sweater No. 47 with Minnesota.
Related:
- Belpedio propels Miami with leadership, two-way play
- Wild selects Belpedio in third-round of 2014 NHL Draft
