Derek Belke class of 2010 drafted into the NAHL

North Hills Native Belke Skates Way From Viper Stars to NAHL Draft

North Hills High School graduate is selected in the 10th round of the 2011 North American Hockey League Entry Draft by the Port Huron Fighting Falcons.

http://northhills.patch.com/ar​ ticles/north-hills-native-belk​e-skates-way-to-nahl-draft

Pittsburgh – Derek Belke, a member of the 2010 - 2011 Pittsburgh Viper Stars U18 AAA team, was selected in the tenth round of the 2011 North American Hockey League (NAHL) Entry Draft by the Port Huron Fighting Falcons.

“I am very proud that Derek was selected in the NAHL draft,” said Viper Stars U18 Head Coach Dave Kosick. “Not only is it a proud accomplishment for him, it also validated his decision to return to Midget AAA Hockey as a post grad (high school).”

Belke a 6'2", 175 lbs. defenseman, was selected by the Falcons as the 3rd pick in the 10th round of the draft, held on Thursday, May 26, 2011.

“He is a Pittsburgh kid who chose to stay in Pittsburgh post high school ... instead of going off to some lower level junior league ... got noticed and identified by scouts, and was drafted into one of the top Junior leagues in the world,” Kosick added.

This past season Belke tallied 50 points (12 goals, 38 assists) in 80 games, helping lead the 18U AAA Viper Stars to a 51-21-3-6 record.

A resident of West View, Belke is a graduate of North Hills High School.

The Pittsburgh Viper Stars AAA program has offered the tri‐state regionʼs top amateur ice hockey players an opportunity to showcase their skills on a national and international level over the past 27 years. Drawing players primarily from western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio, the Pittsburgh Viper Stars showcase players for junior, collegiate and other opportunities. The Viper Stars are proud members of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL).