Hugo Bélanger

Hugo P. Bélanger (born May 28, 1970) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey left wing. Hugo Bélanger was selected in the 8th round (163rd overall) in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and went on to play 15 seasons in hockey’s minor leagues.

Bélanger was named the Sher-Wood Most Valuable Player in the UHL four times in his UHL career, as well as the MVP of the ECHL in 1996 and the MVP of the WCHL as a member of the Phoenix Mustangs.[1][2][3] Bélanger played a total of 1011 games in his minor league hockey career, totalling 1465 points (518 goals and 947 assists). That point total is the most scored by any player since 1980 and the fifth highest total of all-time.[4]

Belanger also played four season of major league roller hockey in both the RHI (with the Long Island Jawz and Anaheim Bullfrogs) and the MLRH (with the Virginia Vultures).[5] While playing for the Vultures, Belanger won the MLRH scoring title by 52 points (79-79-158, 20 GP), including scoring a league record 11 goals and 15 assists in one game.[3] Belanger was named the RHI MVP in 1996, after becoming the only player in RHI history to record a 100-point season.[6] As a member of Team Canada, Belanger earned a gold medal in the 1998 IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship.[3]

Belanger was inducted into the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 12, 2011 along with Barry Melrose and Jody Gage.[7]