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Blair Betts

Born:Feb 16, 1980Draft: 1998 Flames, 33rd Overall
Hometown:Edmonton, AlbertaPosition:Centre
Known For:AHL Calder Cup Champion (2001)Shoots:Left
National Team:CanadaCurrent Status:Retired

Blair Betts (born February 16, 1980) is a retired Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL split with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2010-11 season. Drafted 33rd overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Betts spent the first three seasons of his NHL career with the Flames, splitting time with the big club and their AHL affiliate Saint John Flames. It wasn’t until the 2005-06 that Betts would become an NHL regular, however with the New York Rangers, he established himself as a dependable fourth-line forward that could win faceoffs and play a predominantly defensive role. Betts spent four seasons in New York, even serving as an alternate captain in the 2008-09 season while teammate Scott Gomez was out with an injury. Betts played out the final two years of his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, playing an important part in their 2010 Stanley Cup run that ended in the Final against the Chicago Blackhawks. While he was signed for the 2011-12 season, Betts could not play due to injuries and subsequently announced his retirement.

Betts represented Canada at the 1999 IIHF World Junior Championship, where Canada would capture the silver medal. He was named to the CHL Top Prospects Game in 1998, as a member of the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL). That season, Betts had amassed 76 points (35 goals, 41 assists) in 71 games. Despite his offensive game never translating at the NHL level, Betts became a serviceable fourth-line player who appeared in 477 career games.

Blair Betts
Blair Betts has become one of the most important unsung heroes of the Flyers’ early season. (Neat1325@/flickr)

Blair Betts Statistics

Trade Tracker

DateTraded FromTraded WithTraded ToTraded For
Mar. 6, 2004Calgary FlamesJamie McLennan
Greg Moore
New York RangersSeventh-Round Pick 2004
(Matt Schneider)
Chris Simon

Deeper Dive

Achievements

  • CHL Top Prospects Game (1998)
  • U20 WJC Silver Medal (1999)
  • AHL Calder Cup Champion (2001)

Sources