The big news Flyers fans have been on the edge of their seats waiting for.
Amid the drama of the reported blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Blues, the Philadelphia Flyers made a bit of a notable signing.
Saturday evening, the Flyers announced defenseman Louie Belpedio signed a two-year, two-way contract to remain with the club through the 2024-25 season.
Belpedio, 27, spent the entire 2022-23 season in Lehigh Valley playing for the Phantoms. He logged eight goals and 27 total points in 70 games.
Belpedio was originally selected in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild — ex-Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher was serving as Minnesota's GM at the time. Belpedio played collegiate hockey at Miami University (Ohio), where he totaled 25 goals and 83 points over four seasons.
Soon after completing his collegiate career, Belpedio joined the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild on an amateur tryout agreement before ultimately signing an entry-level deal with the Wild in 2018.
Overall, Belpedio has logged two points (both assists) in four total games as an NHLer.
Expect Belpedio to continue spending the bulk of his time playing in the AHL next season and beyond.