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the dialogue with the Beavers started last season . From there , his personal interest level in attending Bemidji as a student athlete spiked after he was invited by the team to tour the Beavers ’ home rink , training facilities and campus around Canadian Thanksgiving . That visit ultimately played a major part in Bettens ’ decision .
“ I was really amazed by it ,” he said . “ It was super exciting . Once I got there , I felt like it was the right fit and I was very comfortable being there .”
Only a few weeks later in January , the school offered him a scholarship and “ within a few days ” of that , he had accepted .
“ They took a chance on me ,” says Bettens . “ I basically explained to my parents that it was a terrific school and hockey program . I decided it was a great way for me to continue my hockey career .”
As the leading scorer on his Wild team and one of the top offensive producers in the MMHL this season , Bettens is still a year away from attending Bemidji State . He is currently a Grade 11 student
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at J . H . Bruns Collegiate in Winnipeg and holds a 3.40 grade point average . It ’ s likely he ’ ll spend one more year at home before relocating to the northwest Minnesota city of about 14,000 people to begin his studies and continue his hockey pursuit as a University athlete .
According to his coach , NCAA Division I scholarship offers to 16-year-olds playing midget hockey in Manitoba are rare . In fact , Paul Krueger only recalls one other instance of a similar scenario happening during his 15 years behind the Wild bench and that was to former Parkland Rangers defenseman Tyler Jubenvill in 2014-15 . Ironically , Jubenvill has also committed to Bemidji State .
“ It ’ s not something that happens on a regular basis ,” says Krueger , 49 . “ It ’ s an anomaly .” For Bettens , the opportunity at Bemidji State is a wonderful testament to his hard work and dedication to the game and a reward for the type of player and leader he ’ s become . His
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hockey future is untapped . “ He ’ s a guy everybody gravitates to ,” said Krueger , who has coached Bettens for the last two seasons . “ He ’ s a solid teammate . He competes all the time and he ’ s somebody that has come a long way in the last couple of years -- and worked hard at it . He ’ s one of the premier players in our league .”
Those last few seasons have shown an incredible trajectory in Bettens ’ growth . He ’ s excelled at every level along the way and is currently a point-per-game player with the Wild , leading them in scoring with 36 goals and 86 points in 46 games . It ’ s the third straight season in Winnipeg AAA Hockey that he ’ s produced at least one point per game , a tangible by-product of his high overall skill level .
Moreover , Bettens has speed , quickness , size ( he ’ s 6-foot-2 ) and the ability to process the game at a higher level than most . It ’ s really a unique package of skill and proficiency .
Bettens credits his father , Mike , with being the most influential person in his hockey career . Mike also played at a high level growing up in Winnipeg , spending three seasons with the University of Manitoba Bisons before turning professional in Europe , specifically with the British Elite League ’ s Paisley Pirates in Scotland .
“ He ’ s helped me with the details of the game ,” Kyle says of his father . “ To play at the higher levels , he ’ s telling me I have to skate , shoot , pick corners -- separate myself from the others .”
Although he would have
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one more year of midget eligibility remaining for next season , it ’ s not likely Bettens will return to the Wild for a third year . A more plausible landing spot and one that fits with the path to college hockey would be in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League .
The Steinbach Pistons own his Jr . A rights and he ’ s already played one game with them this season , chipping in with three assists in his debut . He spends additional time practicing with them when schedules are congruent .
“ I would consider playing with Steinbach next year ,” said Bettens “ That would be another great fit for me .”
His current coach agrees that junior hockey is the next step for Bettens , although Krueger is quick to point out that he only guides his players to the options available to them and lets the player and his family ultimately make the decisions on where they play in the future .
“ As he ’ s been at each level that ’ s he ’ s played at , he should have no issue playing at that ( Jr . A ) level and being successful ,” said Krueger .
For now , however , Bettens ’ focus is to help his Wild team try to chase down a league championship and perhaps a TELUS Cup berth this spring . After that he says he ’ ll let things fall into place personally at seasons end .
“ My teammates and my linemates have been a huge help to me moving forward ,” he said . “ I ’ m just trying to be the best player I can be . Knowing that I have a scholarship is great , but it ’ s also a wakeup call to understand you need to keep working hard . There are plenty of guys out there who ’ ve been in the exact same spot .” ❍
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