'It's A Special Opportunity': Kieffer Bellows Excited For What's to Come with Marlies After Signing One-Year Deal with Maple Leafs' AHL Team

"I'm really excited. It's a special opportunity," Bellows said following practice on Wednesday. "We have a special group here and I couldn't be more thankful to be a part of this for the long run, and hopefully [we] get a good playoff run in, and we all know the end goal, we want to win. 

"And I'm excited to be a part of that with these guys. I'm excited for the opportunity. I can't thank management and the guys enough for helping me out to get to this point."

Earlier in the season, Marlies head coach John Gruden identified Bellows as a strong player who "kind of" got away from "who he was as a player" partway through his PTO. 

But since that stint, where Bellows went pointless in six straight games earlier this year, he's put up 15 points in the last 12 games.

"He keeps getting better and better," Gruden said. "He keeps working on things that are important for him to have success in the team. And I think he enjoys it. I think he likes being here and I'm glad that he's going about it the right way."

And for Bellows, the biggest area of growth in his game has been the belief in himself.

"I think just my confidence, with and without the puck. Just the confidence to hold onto it, to stay with it, to really just try to make plays with that extra split second. And then the other one is my skating. 

"I feel like my skating has really improved from day one til now, working with Paul (Matheson) and the whole crew here, the whole development staff. They've really helped elevate my game to another level. Same with the coaches, and obviously, my teammates."

Bellows has enjoyed all that comes with playing in Toronto, whether it be the city and what it has to offer, or the organization, which has helped him develop during his time here.

And one thing is certain: His time with the Marlies has flown by.

"It's felt like just a minute. I'm having so much fun with these guys and they say, 'Time flies when you're having fun,' and that's what's been happening here. We have a good group and I'm excited for the opportunity that we have."