Chris Bellino, who played forward for the Verona High School hockey team from the 1989-1990 to 1992-1993 seasons, was inducted into the New Jersey High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame on Sunday, September 26. He had been nominated for the award, which was supposed to have been given out in 2020, by Ben Leuzzi, the former owner of Verona Sports Center who passed away early this year.
Bellino played with the Montclair Blues club team before playing for VHS. When he graduated in 1993, he had amassed 315 career points, which still ranks as the fourth highest total in New Jersey high school hockey history. His 203 goals is the second highest career total in the state.
In his senior year, Bellino was the second leading scorer in the state, named to the 2nd Team All Sate and 1st Team All Public School. Bellino was the New Jersey Devils/Sports channel forward of the month in December 1992.
In his junior year, he was the third leading scorer in the state and was named 2nd Team All Public School. He was twice selected as the NJIHL American Conference B Division MVP (1992, 1993).
Following high school, Bellino was a four-year starting left wing for the University of Delaware.
