For Kieffer Bellows, the 2019-20 season was set to be a crucial season for the second-year pro. The 2016 first-round pick was a key contributor for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during their run to the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs, and he scored arguably the Sound Tigers’ biggest goal of the last 15 years when he scored in the second overtime in Game 1 against the Hershey Bears. Bellows made sure this season was his best yet, and he had just a few momentous milestones this season.

The Good:

Many Islander fans were expecting Kieffer Bellows to get a shot with the Islanders this season. He had a tough start to the season with the Sound Tigers, but when late December hit, he had a hot streak that resulted in an AHL Player of the Month honor for December. In the 14 games between November 27 and December 28, Bellows had 12 goals in 14 games including a hat trick right after Christmas.
For Bellows, it was the beginning of a turnaround that earned his first NHL promotion. For Kieffer Bellows, it was his chance to prove himself, and he did, scoring two goals and adding an assist in seven games, before going back to Bridgeport where he would score six goals in his last eight games before the season stoppage, including a two-goal performance on March 11th against the Toronto Marlies, which ended up becoming the final game of the season.

The Bad:

It was a tough start to the season for Kieffer Bellows. He began the season with three points in the team’s first 21 games and was for two games in November. It was a rough start for Bellows, and head coach Brent Thompson openly stated that he wanted more from the young winger. Despite Bellows working on his defense, he still struggled on the defensive side of the game, along with the scoring drought he was on. Added was the 30+ penalty minutes that he had, and he became more disciplined as the season went on.

The Expectations:

Coming into the season the hopes were high for Bellows who totaled 22 points in 78 games in his rookie season. He was leaned on heavily to be a workhorse for Bridgeport and to hopefully get a  with the Islanders. Compared to his rookie season, Bellows improved mightily during the 2019-20 season. In 52 games for Bridgeport plus seven for the Islanders, Kieffer combined for 24 goals and 34 points. The future is bright and he can be a massive piece to the puzzle, and the time is coming for Bellows to become a regular player.

The Moment of the Season:

On February 4, against his dad Brian’s old team in the Dallas Stars, Kieffer made his long-awaited NHL debut. Bellows would assist on a Derick Brassard goal during the second period, tallying his first point in the NHL in his first game. Two nights later against the Los Angeles Kings, he would score his first two NHL goals including the game-winner.

The Verdict:

Overall, Bellows definitely exceeded expectations after he had a tough first two months of the season. He was scoring goals and putting up points in Bridgeport that resulted in a mid-season call-up, and he performed during his NHL stint this season. Look for Bellows to be a key member of the Isles core next season and beyond.

The Grade: 89/B+

Christian Gardecki

A Native of Danbury, CT. Christian is one of the longest tenured Drive4Five writers, Christian Gardecki began writing for Drive4five In May of 2017. Christian covers Minor League Hockey and the Bridgeport Islanders for Drive4Five. Outside of Drive4Five, Christian was the captain of his High School Hockey team and currently attends Hofstra University with a major in journalism. Christian was the play by play broadcaster for the Danbury Westerners summer collegiate baseball team during their 2021 NECBL Championship. Christian also was the Public Address Announcer for the Danbury Hat Tricks Minor Pro Hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League and NAHL Junior team from 2019-21.