Bettens skating down to Cedar Rapids
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/09/2020 (2038 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Safety concerns during the pandemic gave him pause at first but Kyle Bettens appears ready to take the plunge and return to the USHL.
The 19-year-old right-winger, following two excellent seasons with the MJHL’s Steinbach Pistons, said Friday he will be joining the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders for the start of the 2020-21 season.
The Winnipegger had an unsuccessful eight-game stint with the USHL’s Fargo Force in 2018-19 before transferring to the Pistons.
In 2019-20, he scored 18 goals and 56 points in 49 games with the Pistons to lead the regular-season champs in points.
“I’m 99 per cent sure I’m going down to the States — it’s probably going to be confirmed,” said Bettens.
“I talked to my parents and they want me to go, and my college, and they want the best for me. I think Cedar Rapids is going to be a go for this year.”
Bettens committed to attend NCAA Division 1 Bemidji State on a scholarship more than two years ago, and Beavers assistant coaches Eddie Olczyk Jr. and Travis Winter have encouraged him to challenge himself at the top level of the U.S. junior ranks before debuting at the NCAA level in 2021-22.
“They said basically, ‘we love Steinbach but we want you to come in as a freshman and to play. We have freshmen who get a little nervous their first year and mostly sit up in the stands and watch and learn… We want you to come in and play (and) you’ve gotta go to the higher level and be totally ready for it,’” said Bettens.
Bettens, who has been training with former NHLer J.P. Vigier for the last few months, expects to travel to Iowa Oct. 5 when he will join other RoughRiders imports for a mini-camp in advance of training camp.
The regular season is set to open Nov. 6.
USHL teams are allowed a maximum of six imports, two of which must be Canadians.
Bettens has been impressed with RoughRiders head coach and general manager Mark Carlson’s approach.
“I’ve heard nothing but good from the coach,” said Bettens.
“Just an honest, hard-working, dedicated coach who wants his players to evolve into elite players.”
mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @sawa14