Pens Prospect Jordy Bellerive Returns to Action; Addison Scores in OT

({PHN) — Pittsburgh Penguins project Jordy Bellerive, who was injured in a campfire accident in June, returned to competitive play last night in the Lethbridge Hurricanes intra-squad scrimmage. Bellerive has been a full participant in the Lethbridge training camp and according to Global News, Bellerive will depart for Penguins training camp in September.

The Penguins rookies and prospects will also participate in a rookie tournament beginning September 6, in Buffalo.

According to the Lethbridge Hurricanes Twitter account, Bellerive earned an assist in the scrimmage as his team lost, 3-2. Addison, the Penguins 2018 second-round choice, had an assist and scored the gamer winner in overtime.

Last season, Bellerive, 19, was undrafted but earned a contract after a strong rookie camp and tournament. He will serve as Lethbridge’s captain this season.

Monday, Bellerive told Global News, “Originally they said I probably wouldn’t play hockey for a year,” he said. “So obviously mentally that’s something that’s pretty hard to hear.”

Bellerive suffered badly burned hands in the accident. He spent 12 days in a Calgary hospital.

“It’s been a pretty big climb uphill,” Bellerive told the paper. “After that, probably five to 10 percent (improvement) a week. And like I said, I’m pretty close to 100 percent now.”

One of Bellerive’s teammates who was also injured in the fire, Ryan Vandervlis, remains hospitalized. The third player injured, former teammate Matt Alfaro, has also been released from the hospital.

Bellerive, 5-foot-10, 196 pounds, had a breakout season, last year. In 71 games, he scored 92 points (46g, 46a).

In June, Addison was a full participant at the Penguins rookie camp. The 5-foot-10, 179-pound defenseman had 65 points last season (11g, 54a) in 68 games. Addison is an offensive defenseman who skates well. He too will be a participant in the rookie tournament, next month.