Toronto Maple Leafs News

Mark Bell

Mark Bell started playing hockey at four years old, and grew up admiring Wayne Gretzky and Doug Gilmour.[1] He played four seasons in the minor Ontario Hockey League with the Ottawa 67s, and was part of the Memorial Cup championship in 1998-99. He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft as the eighth overall pick, and scored his first goal against Patrick Roy.[1] Bell was a bronze medalist with Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships in 2000. In the summer of 2006, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in a three-way deal involving Chicago and the Ottawa Senators:

* To Chicago: Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinski, from Ottawa
* To Ottawa: Tom Preissing and Josh Hennessy, via Chicago, from San Jose. Michal Barinka and a second round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, from Chicago.
* To San Jose: Mark Bell

He was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs via trade at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft on June 22, 2007.

Bell is currently in the second year of a 3-year, US$6.5 million contract signed in July 2006. Bell will be paid US$2 million for the first two years of the contract and US$2.5 million for the final year.

Mark 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.

Scouting Report

Assets

Is most effective when playing a very physical style. Has two-way ability and some offensive upside. Owns the versatility to play all forward positions.
Flaws

Was expected to put up bigger numbers. A lack of consistent play are at the root of Bell’s problems. Also lacks discipline, on and off the ice.

Career potential

Top six forward.
——————-
Mark Bell
Center
Born Aug 5 1980  -- St. Paul's, ONT
Height 6.03 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L

Selected by Chicago Blackhawks round 1 #8 overall 1998 NHL Entry Draft

                                            --- Regular Season ---  ---- Playoffs ----
Season   Team                        Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM  GP   G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996-97  Ottawa 67's                 OHL    65    8   12   20   40  24   4   7  11  13
1997-98  Ottawa 67's                 OHL    55   34   26   60   87  13   6   5  11  14
1998-99  Ottawa 67's                 OHL    44   29   26   55   69   9   6   5  11   8
1999-00  Ottawa 67's                 OHL    48   34   38   72   95   2   0   1   1   0
2000-01  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    13    0    1    1    4  --  --  --  --  --
2000-01  Norfolk Admirals            AHL    61   15   27   42  126   9   4   3   7  10
2001-02  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    80   12   16   28  124   5   0   0   0   8
2002-03  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    82   14   15   29  113  --  --  --  --  --
2003-04  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    82   21   24   45  106  --  --  --  --  --
2005-06  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    82   25   23   48  107  --  --  --  --  --
2006-07  San Jose Sharks             NHL    71   11   10   21   83   4   0   0   0   2
2007-08  Toronto Maple Leafs         NHL    35    4    6   10   60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark Bell
Center
Born Aug 5 1980  -- St. Paul's, ONT
Height 6.03 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L

Selected by Chicago Blackhawks round 1 #8 overall 1998 NHL Entry Draft

                                            --- Regular Season ---  ---- Playoffs ----
Season   Team                        Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM  GP   G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996-97  Ottawa 67's                 OHL    65    8   12   20   40  24   4   7  11  13
1997-98  Ottawa 67's                 OHL    55   34   26   60   87  13   6   5  11  14
1998-99  Ottawa 67's                 OHL    44   29   26   55   69   9   6   5  11   8
1999-00  Ottawa 67's                 OHL    48   34   38   72   95   2   0   1   1   0
2000-01  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    13    0    1    1    4  --  --  --  --  --
2000-01  Norfolk Admirals            AHL    61   15   27   42  126   9   4   3   7  10
2001-02  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    80   12   16   28  124   5   0   0   0   8
2002-03  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    82   14   15   29  113  --  --  --  --  --
2003-04  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    82   21   24   45  106  --  --  --  --  --
2005-06  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    82   25   23   48  107  --  --  --  --  --
2006-07  San Jose Sharks             NHL    71   11   10   21   83   4   0   0   0   2
2007-08  Toronto Maple Leafs         NHL    35    4    6   10   60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NHL Totals                        445   87   95  182  597   9   0   0   0  10