Photo courtesy of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs The Rebels’ Andrew Bellant, left, scores his second of three goals Friday night against Ice Dogs goalie Joshua Sarlo, who had replaced starter Josh Benson after two periods.

HOUGHTON — Michigan native Andrew Bellant is an incoming-freshman forward for the Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team. As one of 11 newcomers, Bellant looks to fill the void left behind by the graduation of five forwards from last season’s WCHA playoff championship team.

Self-described as a high-energy forward, Bellant will bring a physical presence to the MacInnes Student Ice Arena. He will fill a role the Huskies have been looking for.

“I’m more of a gritty player (who) likes to get down on the corners,” he said. “I work hard and I’m a (guy with) high energy.

“I am there to do whatever the team needs me to do. If goals and points happen, then they happen, but that’s not really what I’m here for. I’m here to help the team win (and) be successful throughout the year.”

Hockey has been a part of the 5-foot-9, 165 pound Bellant’s identity his entire life. Playing three years of North American Hockey League (NAHL) with four teams, Bellant has both scored points and picked up penalty minutes. He notched 56 goals and 127 points in 165 games while accumulating 498 minutes in penalties.

Bellant brings tough to a whole new level.

“I’m a huge energy guy,” he said. “I like to throw my weight around. I like to get dirty. I get in front or the corners, (and I) am not afraid to get in front of a puck. I’m not scared to hit anybody (or) get hit. I’ll play my role and hopefully help my team out.”

Bellant’s physical exploits should remind longtime Huskies’ fans of former transfer Mike Batovanja. In three years with the Huskies from 2004-07, Batovanja racked up 188 penalty minutes in 109 games. More important than that, Bellant has worked hard to mold himself into a team player.

“I’ve been playing hockey my whole life,” he said. “I really just like winning (because) I’m a huge competitor, (and) a huge team guy.”

For a team player like Bellant, there is no better feeling than winning together.

“I just like the experience you get from winning with a team, which is something you never forget,” Bellant said. “When you work with your teammates, put everything out there and you get your work recognized, there’s no better feeling.”

Bellant had to work his way to the NAHL by plying his trade with the Flint Jr. Generals (2013-14) of the NA3HL and with the Michigan Warriors 18U (2014-15). After playing in just three games with the NAHL’s Austin Bruins, he was moved to the Aston Rebels. With the Rebels, he put up 13 goals and 31 points in 50 games.

“I finally got a shot to play and I tore it up (after getting traded),” he said. “I showed the coach what I had, and I earned my spot. I became a leader my first year.”

The Rebels saw a lot of turnover before his second season, so Bellant found himself getting more ice time. He improved to 27 goals and 55 points in 56 games as he embraced his role as an agitator.

“In my second year all of our leaders left except for a few, so I really had to step it up and become a leader and do whatever my team needed me to do,” said Bellant. “I really had to work hard. It made me a better player and a better person.”

Suiting up during the 2017-18 season for the Philadelphia Rebels and later the Bismarck Bobcats, after a trade, he picked up another 16 goals and 41 points in 56 games.

The state of Michigan has a rich hockey history and for a player like Bellant, who hails from Linden, making the decision to come to Houghton was made easy by the atmosphere created by the fans at Michigan Tech games.

“Coming from Michigan, I had always played AA my whole life, (so) I never had fans (in the stands), except for family and friends,” he said. I think when fans cheer you on, it really gets you into the game and really makes you want to make everybody proud.”

While most players are driven to get work hard to improve their game for the next level, Bellant has a drastically different reason for playing the game that he loves.

“My cousin, she’s older than me,” he said. “She used to play hockey, that’s why I started playing. She got in a bad car accident. She can’t play hockey anymore, that’s why I’m wearing No. 4 this year.

“I wear it for her (because) it makes her happy. She loves watching me play.”

His cousin has had a tremendous impact on his career.

“She’s a big part of why I’m still playing hockey and a big reason why I’m trying to move up,” said Bellant.

For some players, the draw to a place like Michigan Tech is the chance to play as a freshman or the chance to earn an engineering degree. For Bellant, a love for the outdoors drew him to join the Huskies after a tournament in Minnesota last year.

“This past season, we had a showcase out in Minnesota and the assistant coach (Chris) Brooks, saw me there,” said Bellant. “(He) then talked to me later in the season.

“I am a huge outdoors guy, and I’m a huge fisherman.”

Being a physical player, it makes sense that Bellant would describe his goals as a player using terms that match his skill set.

“My goal is to be the best team player that I can be (by) getting better every single day,” Bellant said. “Every single day is a battle. You’ve got to get through it. The harder you work, the better your team will be. You just have to work hard and see where it takes you.”