[1] Despite an excellent junior career with the Granby Bisons during which he twice topped 100 points, Bélanger was never selected in the NHL Entry Draft.

[citation needed] Bélanger spent three seasons in the Montreal organization but struggled to crack a deep, talented team full-time.

[citation needed] Bélanger received his big break the next summer when he was exposed in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft and claimed by the Florida Panthers.

[2] In Florida he received a chance to play regularly, and responded finely in 1993–94, posting 17 goals and a team-leading 33 assists for 50 points.

He finished the season with 42 points including a career-high 20 goals, but struggled in Vancouver and was a healthy scratch in the playoffs.