William Belle (RW, R, 6’3″, 220, NTDP U18, 01/14/2007, Notre Dame)
William Belle is a physically imposing, right-shot winger with prototypical NHL size and flashes of straight-line speed. His profile fits the mold of a bottom-six power forward, but his current puck skill level, offensive execution, and consistency fall well short of NHL standards. Belle shows flashes — a big frame that can intimidate, speed to get in on the forecheck, and willingness to deliver contact — but he struggles to convert plays or impact the game with the puck. If he can develop puck protection skills, improve his puck management and become more competitive shift-to-shift, he has a chance to be a development project at the pro level.
Why He Should Be an NHL Draft Pick:
- Pro Frame and Heavy Game Elements
At 6’3”, 220 lbs, Belle is built for pro hockey. He can be a physical force delivering 1.9 hits per game, showing a willingness to finish his checks and make his presence felt. He plays heavy along the walls and has shown flashes of using his frame to separate opponents from the puck or stall breakouts with positioning alone. His 0.65 shot blocks per game is a good reflection of his willingness to sacrifice and play on the defensive side. - Straight-Line Speed at Size
Belle’s acceleration is below average, but once up to speed, he moves well in straight lines. He creates entries by simply powering through defenders and shows an ability to beat flat-footed players wide. When fully engaged, he’s difficult to contain on the forecheck or in the neutral zone. His skating stride is long and strong, and with continued refinement, could be a reliable tool at the pro level. - Role Player Traits – PK Usage and Defensive Zone Trust
Despite minimal puck touches, Belle averages 1:24 per game on the penalty kill, an indication of trust from the coaching staff. His defensive awareness is developing, but he maintains proper structure off-puck and tries to stay on the defensive side while his opponent cycles.
Why He Might Not Be an NHL Draft Pick:
- Poor Execution and Low Hockey Sense with the Puck
The numbers are deeply concerning for a draft-eligible forward in a premier program:
77% pass completion (well below team and position average)
0.24 completed passes to Grade “A” chances per game (limited vision)
5.9 giveaways per game (high turnover rate)
Belle consistently fails to complete plays with the puck, whether due to rushed decisions, lack of vision, or raw fundamentals. Despite averaging 13:32 of ice time, he generates just 0.73 Grade “A” chances per game and converts on only 5.5% of them — among the lowest in his draft class.
- Limited Battle Success Relative to Size
Belle engages in 13 puck battles per game but wins just 44% — a startling number for a forward with a 220-lb frame playing against USHL competition. He’s often late to second-effort plays and does not show consistent puck retrieval instincts. He also draws just 0.16 penalties per game, which reflects a lack of energy or edge despite his size. - Inconsistent Engagement and Shift-to-Shift Effort
Neutral Zone scouts repeatedly note his inconsistency in effort and engagement. While he has moments where he physically dominates a shift, there are others where he floats, arrives late to spots, or misses assignments. A player with Belle’s frame and mobility should impose himself more frequently.
Projection:
Belle projects as a long-term project with bottom-six NHL upside if his puck skills and compete level take major strides. At this stage, he’s not ready for top-six pro minutes and doesn’t bring enough reliable defensive play or puck possession to be trusted in key defensive roles either. If development stalls, he risks becoming an AHL-only power forward who struggles to impact the game.
Draft Recommendation:
7th Round / Priority Free Agent Watch List
Belle’s size and flashes of straight-line speed make him worth a late-round gamble. If Notre Dame can unlock more passion and develop his puck control, there’s a shot he develops into a checking line winger or net-front specialist. However, the low puck skill baseline, lack of battle success, and poor offensive efficiency leave significant risk.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images