BUFFALO — The Islanders kept their pick at No. 19 on Friday night and went with a familiar name to NHL fans from a couple generations back.
After cycling through quite a bit of trade talk, general manager Garth Snow selected Minnesota native Kieffer Bellows, son of longtime Minnesota North Star Brian Bellows. The younger Bellows, a 6-foot, 196-pound forward, had 50 goals for the U.S. National Development Team this past season. He’s headed to Boston University in the fall.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a bigger smile on my face than I did just now,” Bellows said a few minutes after being selected.