Bell, 28, was acquired by the Rangers off re-entry waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 25. The 6-3, 220-pounder has appeared in 56 games with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, registering 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points, along with 34 penalty minutes. Bell has the ability to get hot in the points department. He recorded a season-high, five-game goal scoring streak from January 14 at Chicago to January 23 at Syracuse. He has registered three multiple-point performances this season, including a two-goal game on January 2 vs. Iowa.
The St. Pauls, Ontario native was originally the Chicago Blackhawks first round draft selection, eighth overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Bell is another in a long series of reclamation projects undertaken by New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather. According to his entry at Wikipedia:
“During the 2006 Labor Day weekend, Bell was arrested in the San Jose area for alleged hit and run and driving under the influence. Both are felony offences. His arraignment was set for January 3, 2007. Bell pleaded no contest to drunk driving causing injury and hit-and-run on August 14, 2007. He was to serve six months in jail after completing the 2007-08 hockey season but later told to work in a California jail which he did from June 2nd, 2008 to August 15th, 2008.In addition to his conviction, Bell was placed in Stage 2 of the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse Program and was suspended for 15 games by the NHL on September 12, 2007.”
Howlings certainly hopes that Bell has been able to confront the issues within himself and will come in to a very solidly progressing team and help them down the stretch.
