Western Michigan’s Vince Bellissimo has decided to leave the school after his junior season to enter the professional ranks.
A 2002 draftee of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, Bellissimo will begin his career with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.
“We appreciate Vince’s contribution to the program and wish him the best of luck,” WMU coach Jim Culhane said.
Bellissimo recently was named an Honorable Mention all-CCHA performer for this season, when he scored 17 goals and 37 points. The team’s second-leading scorer, he was tops on the roster with four game-winning goals.
He concluded his three-year career with 113 points (49-64) and was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team as a freshman.
Senior Pat Dwyer also signed a free agent pro contract with Gwinnett of the East Coast Hockey League. A team captain in 2004-05, Dwyer concluded his career with 101 points (45-56). He was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year as a freshman. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 NHL draft by the Atlanta Thrashers.
