USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede's Bellows Named USHL Rookie of the Year

Published on May 22, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Sioux Falls, SD-The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced Friday that Stampede forward Kieffer Bellows has been named Rookie of the Year. In addition, he has also been named to the USHL All-Rookie First Team. It marks the third time ever a Stampede player has been named USHL Rookie of the Year. Matthew Ford (2003-04) and Jack Connolly (2007-08) were the other winners.

Bellows tallied 52 points (33g, 19a) in 58 games to finish second on the Stampede in team scoring. His 33 goals were the most scored by a 16-year-old in the USHL Tier 1 era (2002-present). Bellows caught fire the second half of the season, scoring 22 of his 33 goals after the holiday break. He recorded six multi-goal games, including three hat tricks. Two of those three-goal games came in a span of seven days-January 31st vs. Tri-City and February 7th vs. the Fargo Force.

Bellows played a key role in the Stampede capturing the Clark Cup as week ago as well. He tallied 11 points (9g, 2a) and a plus-9 rating in 12 playoff games. Four of his nine goals were game-winners, including the Herd's Clark Cup clinching game last Friday, which tied the USHL Tier 1 era record for most game-winners in a single playoff era.

The native of Edina, Minnesota was selected by the Stampede in the first round (13th overall) of Phase One in the 2014 USHL Draft. He is a product of Edina High School and helped them capture a state championship in 2014. Bellows is a top prospect for the 2016 NHL Draft and is committed to play college hockey at Boston University following his USHL career.

Both the USHL Rookie of the Year and USHL All-Rookie Teams are determined by a vote of the League coaches and general managers. The USHL All-Rookie Teams recognize the top players who were 18 or younger during the season, playing their first full year in the USHL, and/or playing their first season of junior hockey. Click here to view the USHL All-Rookie Teams.

Bellows and the Stampede will now prepare for tryout camp, June 12-15th at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. It marks the first time ever that camp will take place in Sioux Falls. More details, including a complete schedule, will be made available in the next week. For the latest Stampede news follow the club on Facebook and Twitter @sfstampede.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from May 22, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central