From the Rink: Belpedio joins Wild for final two games of season

LOS ANGELES -- Louie Belpedio isn't expected to make his NHL debut against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, but that hasn't tempered his excitement about reaching the highest level of hockey in the world.
Belpedio was signed to his entry-level contract on Thursday, joining Minnesota on the West Coast after a 10-game stint with Iowa of the American Hockey League, who he had signed an amateur tryout with following his senior season at Miami of Ohio.
Participating in his first morning skate at Staples Center, one of the most famous arenas in the world, was certainly a surreal experience for the Skokie, Illinois native.

"Pretty historic building and a lot of cool things have happened here," Belpedio said. "It was definitely nice to get out there, get to know the guys and get my feet moving a little bit and get the nerves out of me."

Known for his offensive game, Belpedio had 83 points in 135 collegiate games, serving as captain of the RedHawks in both his junior and senior seasons.
The jump to the AHL wasn't as easy. Belpedio went scoreless in his first seven contests there, posting a minus-6 in those games. But he gained some confidence in his final three games there, assisting on two goals.
"It's been different," Belpedio admitted. "Obviously, I had a great four years in college and going to Iowa helped me get adjusted to the pro game and the pro lifestyle, and not going right from college to here also helped, just to kind of get used to everything and being a pro now."
Belpedio said he plans on being all ears in his time with Minnesota, which will include the upcoming postseason. While Jared Spurgeon is expected back for Game 1 of the playoffs, further hindering his opportunity to potentially get in the lineup, the chance to be around the playoffs and in the NHL is invaluable for him moving forward.

"I'm around the best players in the world," Belpedio said. "I get to learn from them every day and learn what it's like to be a real pro."
Belpedio is expected to debut on Saturday in San Jose, and his parents Lou and Linda should be in attendance. Louie's 16-year-old brother, Nicky, is participating in nationals with the Chicago Mission U16s in Philadelphia. That could make for a long, cross-country flight for Belpedio's parents.
"[Nicky] might get the short end of the stick," Belpedio said. "[But] those two are ultimately the ones who got me here, so it will be nice to share it with them."
Here are the projected lineups:
WILD
Jason Zucker - Eric Staal - Nino Niederreiter
Zach Parise - Mikko Koivu - Mikael Granlund
Tyler Ennis - Jordan Greenway - Charlie Coyle
Marcus Foligno - Joel Eriksson Ek - Daniel Winnik
Jonas Brodin - Matt Dumba
Nick Seeler - Ryan Murphy
Carson Soucy - Nate Prosser
Alex Stalock
Devan Dubnyk
KINGS
Tanner Pearson - Anze Kopitar - Dustin Brown
Tobias Rieder - Jeff Carter - Tyler Toffoli
Kyle Clifford - Adrian Kempe - Trevor Lewis
Nate Thompson - Mike Amadio - Torrey Mitchell
Kevin Gravel - Drew Doughty
Dion Phaneuf - Paul Ladue
Alec Martinez - Christian Folin
Jonathan Quick
Jack Campbell