Hugo Belanger

[redraider13]

I have an update for you on Hugo Belanger '93. For the past three seasons, he's been playing for the Adirondack IceHawks of the UHL. They play at the Civic Center in Glens Falls. I moved to the area in August, and have been going to their games. Hugo is the current team captain, and has a very good fan following in town. He's been the leagues MVP for two consecutive seasons now, and is currently leading his teams in points and plus minus. It's been great watching him play, he's a real playmaker. Anytime he's on the ice, there's a real chance for a goal, and the fans respond as soon as he comes over the boards. Thanks!

[redraider13]

http://www.adirondackicehawks.com/gallery/021011vsQC/pix_10.jpg
http://www.adirondackicehawks.com/gallery/021006vselmira/pix_6.jpg

Just a few pictures I found on the Hawks website, you can't see the puck in the second shot, but take a look at the water bottle! Both were taken from separate overtime shootouts

[joecct]

Hey RedRaider

Next time you're at an IceHawk game give a "Hello" to Jason Wolfe (DeMatha '96, Merrimack '02) from the guys @ Laurel.

Thanks

Joe LaCour
CCT '77

Who's goalie son owes a lot to Wolfe

[Stemmer]

Joe,

My "career" as a goalie coach officially begins tomorrow with the Wayne Hills HS team...any advice?

The thought that I may have to purchase one of Joe Bertagna's training videos has given me a headache!



:rolleyes:

[redraider13]

Wolfes been holding his own as well. He's a backup rookie. Youngest goalie in the league I think. He hasn't seen much playing time, but has been very good when he has been out there.

Ricci is another Clarkson alumnus on this same roster. He was sent up to Binghamton of the AHL though as they were desperate for another blueliner. I don't think they expect him to be in the AHL on a long term basis yet, but he's been up there about two weeks now.

[redraider13]

Hugo gets the MVP of the month honor once again, taking over for Chris MacKenzie, a Colgate alum. He had 31 points in 14 games. From what I understand from talking to people, he had the option of pursuing an AHL career, but turned it down because he likes living where he is now, he wants to spend time with his family (I think he has some young children), and he's also a franchise player where he is right now. He eventually plans on retiring up in this area.

At a recent charity event, the team auctioned off their jerseys right after the game. A friend of mine picked up Ricci's unworn jersey for $175, while his girlfriend got Belangers at $400. Hugo even threw in an autographed stick as well! There is still a game worn jersey of his for sale for about $600 now I think.

Joe, Wolfe had a great run as starter for about two weeks. Looks like they are going to be giving their vet another chance though. The fans really got behind him though.

[Stemmer]

Yep, thats the situation with Hugo. I talked with him 2 yrs ago before he started with Adirondack and he said he made the move there for family reasons. He could definitely play at the AHL level.

Saw him In Binghamton last year against the UHL team there but thats no more. However, isn't Ricci still with the Bingo Sens?

[JR]

Ricci was with Bingo a few weeks ago when I saw them in Rochester.

[redraider13]

Ricci is still in Binghamton. I was under the impression it would be a very short term fix before he was sent back here for more experience, but he's been up there for nearly a month now I think.

[Stemmer]

Well, Scott can certainly play at the AHL level. He was one of the best D men in the UHL the past couple of seasons so I don't think more time in that league would benefit him.

[redraider13]

Hugo was on the radio today, and there was an article about him in this weekends paper. He just scored his 100th point of the season. Already! I think he is the leading scorer in North America right now. He is now 19 points shy of 1,000 on his career. During the month of January, he was offered some time at the AHL by three separate teams, and he turned em all down. He said he has no AHL desires, and no one would benifit by him playing a few games up a level. He respects the "C" given to him by the team, and he respects his role as a franchise player. And Glens Falls couldn't be prouder.

[Stemmer]

Yep, that sounds right. Hugo is happy living in that area with his wife and family and has no desire to leave. He's "been there, done that" with the higher minors.

[redraider13]

He also said that the AHL was more about politics, and less about winning. The teams goals are to develop players for the NHL, and not necessarily put the best guys out onto the ice.

[koho]

I just heard that the Adirondack Ice Hawks will be honoring Hugo with a "Hugo Belanger Night" in Glens Falls, NY, as this will be his last season. see link below...

He's been quite a star for Adirondack, wonder if Mr. Roll has any interest in him as an assistant?

http://www.adirondackicehawks.com/

[redraider13]

He just got the team MVP award again. At Saturdays game, anyone who brings a Hugo Belanger sign will be eligible for prizes. They will also be having Hugo give-aways all game long. Unfortunatly, his bobblehead doll won't be ready in time, so that won't be here till next season.

[redraider13]

There was a ten minute pre game cerimony for Hugo.

It started out with a proclaimation from the Mayors office, declaring it Hugo Belanger day in Glens Falls.

They gave a summary of his career. He has won the mvp award for three different hockey leagues. When they mentioned him playing at Clarkson, that got a round of applause.

Mark Morris gave a speech that was taped earlier and was played over the PA. He was busy with his coaching obligations, but the speech was very well done.

Belanger and his family were presented with several gifts. Icluding a commemerative mirror, season passes for him and his family to the local ammusment park. His young children gave him a special hockey stick, and the booster club presented a local hockey player a $1,000 scholarship in his name.

[redraider13]

http://www.adirondackicehawks.com/gallery/030329vselmira/pix_3.jpg

Here he is with the former booster club president, and the winner of his scholarship

[redraider13]

http://www.adirondackicehawks.com/gallery/030329vselmira/pix_4.jpg

http://www.adirondackicehawks.com/gallery/030329vselmira/pix_5.jpg

[chuck]

Hugo scored a Hat Trick in Adirondak's 6-2 playoff win last night... or was it the night before. Congrats!!!


ps - is he quitting pro hockey? What's he gonna do?

[redraider13]

The hat trick was tuesday night, in game one of the playoffs. He's given no indication he intends on retiring after this season. I know in the off season, he sells cars. He's one of only two players on the team who lives in the area year-round.

There has been talk about retiring his number once he does retire. In the 6 year history of the franchise, he would be the first.

[redraider13]

Well, some good news and bad news. The bad news is, the Hawks lost their first round playoff series. It was against a team we dominated all regular season too. You're not gonna want to hear this, but the goalie who shut down Belanger and the Hawks was Jeremy Symington. The good news is Hugo was named to the all league team, and got league MVP honors. This was the 3rd time in a row he got it! This is his 5th career MVP award. Assuming the Hawks get a new lease, he should be back with the team next year. I'm just pumped because the only Colgate guy in the league might get traded to our team as well.

[redraider13]

Hugo signed for another season with the Hawks.

[chuck]

Thanks for the updates.
Keep them coming:)

[redraider13]

http://www.picturecd.com/system/view.cgi?user=goaliebill&session=1067085621.77092&guest=1&m=p&image=20031024220152_421_9139_01_goaliebill.jpg&ss=1003

The league boss presents Hugo Belanger with last seasons MVP award

http://www.picturecd.com/system/view.cgi?user=goaliebill&session=1067085621.77092&guest=1&m=p&image=20031024220503_9894_4265_01_goaliebill.jpg&ss=1003

http://www.picturecd.com/system/view.cgi?user=goaliebill&session=1067085621.77092&guest=1&m=p&image=20031024220609_2073_3024_01_goaliebill.jpg&ss=1003

http://www.picturecd.com/system/view.cgi?user=goaliebill&session=1067085621.77092&guest=1&m=p&image=20031024221149_9611_2820_01_goaliebill.jpg&ss=1003

A scoring chance

[redraider13]

I have heard that Hugo will be on the cover of the Novemeber "Just Hockey" magazine

[berbs91]

Schwan was on the Icehawks roster, but appears he didnt make the grade there either

[Stemmer]

that is no surprise.

[MikeR]

http://www.justhockey.com/covers/november_03.jpg


Edit: Best of '02-'03 (http://www.justhockey.com/uhl/040703.html)

[redraider13]

Well, Hugo and the IceHawks are struggling this year. Hugo still leads the team with 6 goals and 14 assists through the first 15 games. But our team is not doing well so far. There was lease trouble over the summer, and the team is now trying to cut costs. Anyway, Hugo just sent out a mailing to the season ticket holders saying he is opening up a Kiosk at the Wilton Mall in Saratoga to sell personalized CD's and books during the holiday season. http://www.bethestar1.netfirms.com/

[redraider13]

http://www.picturecd.com/system/view.cgi?user=goaliebill&session=1073237009.15655&album=45354&guest=1&m=a

On the Jan 3rd game, I got some good pictures of Hugo. You'd like 16, 17 and 26.

[redraider13]

lemme see if attaching the file works

[redraider13]

Celebrating a goal

[redraider13]

A close up

[redraider13]

A shoot out goal

[redraider13]

Friday night is Hugo Bellanger Bobblehead night. First 1,000 fans get the doll. After that, they should have more to sell.

[redraider13]

well, the end is near. If you were planning on catching a game, better do it tonight. There is no guarantee the team will be even playing it's wednesday game.

[redraider13]

Hmmm, the team might just be saved yet.....

[chuck]

What do you mean? What's going on?

Did someone attack the mascot the other night? I thought I caught something on the news about that Mon.?

[redraider13]

Our mascot ran into the class next to the bench. The glass came down, and hit a player and trainer in the head. The trainer then went out through the hole created, ran across some seats, and tackled the mascot as he was trying to apologize. They wrestled on the floor a few moments as fans spilled out of the stands to watch and take part. Fortunatly, it was broken up before a riot could erupt.

The current owners are in nearly half a million dollars of debt. For a while, it looked like the team would fold, and cease operations immediatly. Now, it looks like a buyer is going to be found. A group headed by Barry Melrose might step in and take over.

[CUKnight]

I was just watching the Fox News Channel, and they did a little 10 second clip on the mascot. Quite Funny if you ask me! I guess it was the mascot guys last game. Talk about a way to go out!

[chuck]

Originally posted by redraider13
Our mascot ran into the class next to the bench. The glass came down, and hit a player and trainer in the head. The trainer then went out through the hole created, ran across some seats, and tackled the mascot as he was trying to apologize. They wrestled on the floor a few moments as fans spilled out of the stands to watch and take part. Fortunatly, it was broken up before a riot could erupt.

The current owners are in nearly half a million dollars of debt. For a while, it looked like the team would fold, and cease operations immediatly. Now, it looks like a buyer is going to be found. A group headed by Barry Melrose might step in and take over.

Man I gotta see that clip!!

I hope the team stays. Glenns Falls deserves a team. I really should get over for a game.

[broomball52]

Originally posted by redraider13
Friday night is Hugo Bellanger Bobblehead night. First 1,000 fans get the doll. After that, they should have more to sell.

Got Mine :)

[MikeR]

Originally posted by redraider13
Hmmm, the team might just be saved yet.....

Redraider has already posted on the thread, but if anyone else is interested there is a good thread over on USCHO that gives some details Glens Falls hockey saved (http://board.uscho.com/showthread.php?threadid=33559)

[redraider13]

The IceHawks beat the top team in the league tonight. More pictures on my website, for now, here's Hugo.

[MikeR]

I was used to getting updates from Redraider, so I haven't followed Hugo (http://www.frostbitehockey.com/playerbio.fhtml?id=17) this year. Recently selected player of the week (http://www.frostbitehockey.com/article.fhtml?display=90), he was also named to the UHL all star team (http://www.frostbitehockey.com/article.fhtml?display=93) again, and scoring as always with 52 points in 35 games. This guy can score in his sleep, or when he is 60!


Adirondack's goaltender Derek Gustafson (SLU) also made the All Star team.

Maybe Hugo can give Shawn Weller some tips in Glens Falls this summer? Shooting% of 25%????? :eek:

[CUKnight]

My how gustafson has fallen. Didnt he have a short stint with the wild a few years ago? I seem to recall him doing fairly well in the NHL.

[MikeR]

My how gustafson has fallen. Didnt he have a short stint with the wild a few years ago? I seem to recall him doing fairly well in the NHL.

You are correct, he was 1-3 with the Wild. Apparently, they had a good enough look at him.
Precipitous drop in his NHL prospects:
1/01

Last year at this time, Derek Gustafson was part of a three-man goaltending rotation at St. Lawrence University. Fast-forward 12 months and the 21-year-old is one of the hottest netminders in minor league hockey, with his eyes on an NHL job. Story down memory lane for SLU fans (http://www.allsports.com/cgi-bin/showstory.cgi?story_id=11159)

3/03

The reason is simple: The Aeros are hurting at goaltending. Derek Gustafson had been given up on earlier in the year. Derek Gustafson has had good games and bad since getting the call back up to Houston. On the whole, he's been good but not great. Before he was sent down, the knock on Derek was that he was good, but not great ... and not showing signs of improvement. Essentially, nothing much has changed outside of the two initial games Derek played upon coming back to Houston. You'll recall he had a little something to prove then ... perhaps he still does and now may be as good a time as any to show it.

[Todd '86]

Hugo is leading the UHL in points with 30-64--94 in 71 games with Adirondack. The Frostbite are in first place in the Eastern division with 96 points (as of yesterday).

[hescock]

Saw Hugo play 2 nights ago at Adr. Frostbite's last game. Had not seen him play since 1993 and it was great. He is THE MAN on the team. He had a goal and 2 assists I believe (though really one of the assists should have been his goal off a def. man's skate). He finished season as league leading scorer (106 points, 34 goals, 72 assists).

It awesome how he skates with his head up, making great passes to guys who seem impossible to pass to. A lot of selfless passes too when it looked like he just as well could have taken the shot.

I never did meet him when at clarkson ('94), but got to after the game at the Frosbite's After Game Skate feature. He was real nice and we got talk a bit before he sat down to sign autographs for a line of waiting fans...

Tim '94

PS My co-worker actually had a lengthy chat with Barry Melrose when he was in Rutland, VT doing promo for the Frosbite (he is the owner or part-owner). Barry said that Hugo was their franchise player and the star of the league....

[coolhandtouc]

Belanger named UHL MVP for the fourth time....scored on every level he played...........any ideas on why an NHL club didn't give him a whiff?

[CUKnight]

any ideas on why an NHL club didn't give him a whiff?


If I recall correctly, Hugo never wanted to play in the NHL. It is more of a personal choice than not getting a chance. Could be wrong, but I thought I remembered hearing that somewhere.

[Todd '86]

Hugo also won the Most Sportsmanlike Award and finished as the UHL's leading scorer. :cool:

[MikeR]

Adirondack suspends operations - Hugo to call it quits (http://www.saratogian.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16798145&BRD=1169&PAG=461&dept_id=349537&rfi=6)


'Moving isn't an option,' said Belanger, who lives in Wilton. 'I could play in the Quebec Senior League and stay with my parents on weekends.'

[MikeR]

Hugo did end up playing in Quebec (Mission de Sorel-Tracy), scoring 10pts in 4gp (http://www.sk-hockey.com/sk/stat/stat_player.php?idOrg=15&idSeason=2&idYear=13&idLevel=583&noframe=1&imp=1&typeStat=0&type=0) to date.

http://www.missionsoreltracy.com/equipe/joueurs/hugobelanger/index.html

[MikeR]

Hoping for a new team in Glens Falls (http://www.saratogian.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17579411&BRD=1169&PAG=461&dept_id=595282&rfi=6)....and


Belanger has entertained thoughts about coaching, but prefers the college ranks over pro hockey. During his sophomore year, he led Clarkson to the NCAA 'Frozen Four,' falling just two games short of a national championship.

'That year was just phenomenal,' he said. 'I had 75 points, 32 goals. Ironically, I never got All-American that year. Other guys like Jim Montgomery (Maine, 5 NHL teams), Paul Kariya (Maine, NHL's Mighty Ducks, Predators) and Joey Juneau (RPI, 6 NHL teams) got it. My stats were definitely as good if not better, but they had the name and Clarkson was a smaller school back then.

'I just think college hockey's a great thing. College level kids are much easier to coach.'

Last spring, he applied for RPI's head coaching vacancy, filled by Seth Appert.

'I thought I sent a really good resume,' he said. 'Our schools are comparable. I played in the league before, plus being from the area, being French, being able to recruit in Montreal. The experience factor didn't help. I'd probably have to pay my dues as an assistant coach.

Hope he finds his way to Clarkson someday...

[FireKnight]

Hey Mike...

I was almost going to post that Hugo Belanger was named LNAH Offensive Player of the week based on this article http://www.lnah.ca/nouvelles.aspx?id=964 . However, strolling through Sorel's site, I notice that their Hugo Belanger had a listed DOB of "Né le 27 mars 1975". I thought that odd, as I'm 32 and Hugo graduated before me. I tried to match the picture to my CCT programs, but it's hard to tell with the pics from Sorel's site.

My next stop was hockeydb.com. It definitely lists our Hugo as playing for Sorel (DOB 28 May 1970). However, there is another Hugo Belanger, also a Quebecer, with a DOB of 27 Mar 1975 listed on hockeydb. It shows him as out of hockey since 2004. Everything seems to point to the Sorel Hugo as our Hugo, except their very own website :eek:

So, my question is... will the real Hugo Belanger please stand up???

[MikeR]

Hey Mike...

However, strolling through Sorel's site, I notice that their Hugo Belanger had a listed DOB of "Né le 27 mars 1975". I thought that odd, as I'm 32 and Hugo graduated before me. I tried to match the picture to my CCT programs, but it's hard to tell with the pics from Sorel's site.

Everything seems to point to the Sorel Hugo as our Hugo, except their very own website :eek:

So, my question is... will the real Hugo Belanger please stand up???
I noticed their error with the DOB when I found out he originally played there. I didn't check hockeydb for another Hugo Belanger...strange that Sorel would make that mistake:confused:

Yes...that is Hugo...here is another article with a photo (without helmet )
It mentions that he lives in NY.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.missionsoreltracy.com/2007/janvier/24j.htm&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=4&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DHugo%2BBelanger%2BSorel%26hl%3Den%26s a%3DN

Guess they (Sorel) didn't want everyone to know how OLD Hugo is and take advantage of his advanced stage;) (although he is 7 months younger than me!:eek: :o )

Looks like they have corrected his page (http://www.missionsoreltracy.com/equipe/joueurs/hugobelanger/index.html), just not the stats page

Edit2: probable reason is that the stats (where the wrong DOB is located) are compiled by sk-hockey, not Sorel.

[FireKnight]

Well, in that case, OUR Hugo Belanger was named LNAH Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending Feb. 18 or 19. (Dan is too lazy to go back to the article and the French hurts my eyes.)

[MikeR]

Hugo is still lighting it up in the LNAH. One of those players that could just score. Recently acquired by CRS Saint-Georges as Sorel discontinued operations.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.lnah.ca/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DLNAH%2Btransactions%2BHugo%2BBelanger %26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG



Yeah yeah. I'm very used to seeing goaltender numbers in the low 30's. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of the vanity numbers myself; one of the few things I don't like seeing at Clarkson.
Dan..are you certain you wouldn't like a #91 replica on the Knights? ;-)