The Pistons organization would like to thank forward and assistant captain Rylan Bettens for all of his contributions, both on the ice and around the community, to the club over the past couple of years.
Bettens was drafted by Head Coach/GM Paul Dyck in the 3rd round of the 2015 MJHL Bantam Draft with the 33rd pick. He returned to the game with Steinbach in the 2019-20 season after dealing with injuries the previous year in the Western Hockey League and was right away named an assistant captain. He nabbed 15 goals and 26 points in 54 games played that season, but the playoffs was where he came to play. He scored 3 goals and 6 points in the first round series against the Winnipeg Blues, tying with Christian Riemer for the MJHL playoff scoring lead before play was halted.
In eight games this season, Bettens picked up right where he left off with 4 goals and 9 points in 8 games played before the November shutdown. He was also named as an assistant captain for the second consecutive season due to his leadership capabilities in the Pistons’ dressing room.
“It was extremely rewarding for us to see Rylan regain his passion for the game last season, and then grow in confidence,” Dyck said. “He literally improved every month he was with us last year and then he carried that into this season. His playoff performance last season was at another level, and he played a huge part in us sweeping the first round.
“He was so good to and for our young players while he was here, and that leadership will be missed. Rylan played and practiced hard every time he stepped on the ice, and that is a trait that every coach appreciates.”
Thank you Rylan! Good luck to you and your family as you move on from the Pistons!