| Born: | Jan 15, 1978 | Draft: | 1998 Flyers, 124th Overall |
| Hometown: | Bellefeuille, Quebec | Position: | Left Wing |
| Known For: | CHL Memorial Cup Champion (1997) | Shoots: | Left |
| National Team: | Canada | Current Status: | Retired |
Francis Belanger (born January 15, 1978) is a former Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2000-2001 season. Drafted 124th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Belanger fit the mould of the Broad Street Bullies. A large frame, imposing attitude, and a willingness to drop the gloves saw him accumulate 242 penalty minutes in 58 games during his rookie season in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Despite putting up respectable numbers at the AHL level for a player who spent a good chunk of the time in the penalty box, Belanger was never granted an opportunity to play for Philadelphia. Instead, he made his NHL debut with the Canadiens in the 2000-01 season. In ten games, he recorded no points and 29 penalty minutes. It would be his only opportunity to play in the NHL, as he was phased out of the AHL by the end of the 2002-03 season. His offense took a steep hit and his reduced role led to him being less of a factor in the fighting department.
Belanger remained in North America, playing in the United Hockey League (UHL) and low-level hockey leagues in Quebec. He saw a resurgence in point production during his time in the Quebec Senior Central Hockey League (QSCHL) and the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (LNAH), but by then, he was failing to keep up with the speed of the game. Belanger retired at the conclusion of the 2012-13 season after two years with the Sorel-Tracy team.
Francis Belanger Statistics
Staff History
- Du Fleuve et des Lacs Pumas Bantam BB, QBBB (Assistant Coach) 2019-2020
- Du Fleuve et des Lacs Pumas Midget BB, QMBB (Assistant Coach) 2019-2020
- Du Fleuve et des Lacs Pumas M15 BB, QM15BB (Head Coach) 2021-current
- Du Fleuve et des Lacs Pumas M18 BB, QM18BB (Assistant Coach) 2021-current
Achievements
- CHL Memorial Cup Champion (1997)
- AHL Player of the Week (Jan. 28, 2001)