Local man drafted by NHL

Ken Johnston

While the hockey world was fixated on Sidney Crosby’s fate in the National Hockey League draft last Saturday, the Albert Beller family of Rainy River was watching another player of great interest. Albert’s son Greg Beller, 18, was selected by the New York Rangers in the 6th round and 178th overall.
The 2005 graduate from Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program (Stratton) finished his high school career at Lake of the Woods High School this past year as a center (forward) and with 22 goals and 27 assists for a total of 49 points.
This 6’3” 201 lbs. man was very excited when he heard on Saturday. Ironically he just got off the ice in Baudette trying to squeeze in one last skate before the ice plant was shut down at the end of summer hockey school. “I just got done skating when my Mom and Dad told me about the phone call. It was great news!”
Beller said that he first had contact with the Rangers organization in January of this year when their Minnesota scout saw him at the Great Eight tournament in Minneapolis.
Later that month, unknown to Beller, the Minnesota scout accompanied the Rangers head scout to watch a the LoW Bears play Warroad. “I thought they were there to watch T.J. Oshie (of Warroad) and had no idea they were to watch me as well,” said Beller. Afterwards he found out there were no less than five scouts at that game.
Even though he has been drafted by the Rangers, Beller says his plans remain the same as before the draft. “I am going to play for the Green Bay Gamblers this winter.” The Gamblers are a Junior A, Division 1 team, just below OHL and WHL. “They are the 2nd best junior league,” said Beller. His main reason for sticking to his plan to play there is based on his educational future. By playing in that league he will not get paid to play and will thus be eligible for a hockey scholarship. He also feels that he will gain valuable playing experience with the Gamblers and eventually at college which he hopes to attend next year.
Beller said that one of the pivotal drivers in getting this far in his career was when he was a Junior at LoW. “I always wanted to be better than Brent Olson (a Senior with the Bears) so I practised and practised.” Then last summer he played in the Minnesota Summer Elite League and realized that, “This was my last chance to make it further in hockey.” He began training three hours a day, six days a week. “It was hard and I sometimes did not like it, but it has paid off now.”
He has been skating since he could walk and his dad helped make hockey a big part of his and his brothers’ lives. “Dad building an outdoor rink in the yard really helped me.”
Beller is off to the Rangers rookie camp just north of New York City next week. And even if the Rangers offer him a lot of money, he said he plans to pass on any offers and stick with the Gamblers this season.
He is not certain he will be a starter this season with the Gamblers as he was unable to make a training camp last month due to the fact he had knee surgery in June. However, his rehab went well and he said it felt good skating last week.
Beller is hopeful that his college career will lead to the NHL and he is excited that the Rangers have helped make that goal attainable. He did note that he is cautiously optimistic as, “Many first round picks do not make the NHL.”