OKLAHOMA CITY–Oklahoma Warriors forward Josh Belz has committed to play Division III college hockey at Johnson & Wales University.
The Edmond, Okla. native joined the Warriors during the holiday break, his first opportunity to play in the North American Hockey League. In 16 games with his hometown team, Belz has scored one goal and totaled three points. He has embraced his role as a high-character hockey player from the beginning.
“Josh has brought energy and passion to the rink every day,” head coach Garrett Roth said. “We were struggling around midseason with our identity and what we needed to do to have success as a team. Josh was part of the group of players who came in and helped us find that. He has been a selfless player and a huge part of maintaining a great culture in the locker room.”
Belz started his junior hockey career before Oklahoma City had an NAHL team. He played ten games for the Jr. Blazers in the NA3HL during the 2020-21 season before spending two years in the Eastern Hockey League in Massachusetts. While in New England, he formed a relationship with the Johnson & Wales program through emails to their coaching staff.
Belz visited the school’s campus in Providence last year. Once he joined the Warriors, it ramped up the program’s interest and led to a deal.
“When I got called up to play here, that was definitely a game changer,” Belz said. “Coach (Eric) Graham started watching a lot more film. I had some good talks with them on the phone. They offered me a couple weeks ago, and it was a no-brainer for me.”
Even though Josh’s father, Eddie, is the Warriors’ team dentist, he plans on entering JWU’s School of Business when he enrolls this fall. Despite growing up in Oklahoma, Belz enjoyed his time in New England which made the decision to spend four more years over 1600 miles away easier.
“Location is one of my favorite things about it,” Belz said. “Not too many places I have seen where you can be in the heart of a downtown and still get a good college education. It will be cool moving from suburban Edmond to a nice downtown in Providence. It is a good college town … Hockey-wise, their program gets treated really well. They are bringing in a lot of good guys this year, too, so it will be on the up-and-up. They are switching conferences and I think that will help out the program a lot. It is a perfect blend of what I am looking for in a school and a hockey program.”
Just as he advocated for himself to get a college opportunity, Belz did the same to make the Warriors’ roster. While his spot on the team did not come until halfway through the team’s second season in Oklahoma City, Belz made an impression long before and remained on Roth’s radar.
“Josh got an opportunity with us this year because of what he started last year at training camp,” Roth said. “Every time he came out, he played relentlessly and did not back down. That is the mindset we want in our guys. He has dealt with a lot of adversity and has continued to excel through the tough times. He earned this opportunity, and I am proud of him for the work he has put in to continue playing hockey and further his education at Johnson & Wales.”
Belz is the third Warriors player from the state of Oklahoma and takes a lot of pride in that fact. He and Warriors defenseman Will Brenner grew up together at the rink and were teammates for several years during their youth hockey days. Belz credits his many coaches, including George Dupont and Larry Donovan, both mainstays in the Oklahoma City hockey community.
It is only fitting that the Oklahoma kid gets to finish up his junior hockey career–and earn his college commitment–at the rink he knows best.
“You could not write a better ending for my junior career,” Belz said. “To be able to play in the NAHL, which I have been striving to play in for a few years now, but also to do it at home. It is unbelievable. I am thankful that God gave me a good opportunity when I least expected it … We have a great group of guys and I am excited to make a run here.”