Rangers Claim Mark Bell Off Waivers

Published on February 25, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


New York, February 25, 2009 -- New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forward Mark Bell off re-entry waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Bell, 28, 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. He ranked fifth on the team in goals (12), sixth in points (27) and seventh in assists (15). He also tied for fourth on the Marlies with five power play goals. Bell 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.

A veteran of seven NHL seasons, Bell skated in 35 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2007-08 season, registering four goals and six assists for 10 points, along with 60 penalty minutes. He missed 31 games due to injury after sustaining a broken orbital bone on January 3, 2008 at Pittsburgh. He notched a goal in back-to-back games, on April 3, 2008 vs. Ottawa and April 5, 2008 at Montreal to close out the regular season.

The 6-2, 220-pounder has appeared in 445 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs, registering 87 goals and 95 assists for 182 points, along with 597 penalty minutes. Bell established career-highs in goals (25) and points (48) while skating with Chicago during the 2005-06 season. His 25 goals and 48 points ranked second on the club, while he finished fourth on the team with 23 assists. In 2003-04, he set a career mark with 24 assists and was one of only four Blackhawk players to appear in all 82 games. Bell has skated in nine career NHL playoff contests with Chicago and San Jose. In addition, he has appeared in 117 career AHL games with the Norfolk Admirals and Toronto Marlies, registering 27 goals and 42 assists for 69 points, along with 160 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning professional, Bell spent four seasons with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), registering 105 goals and 102 assists for 207 points, along with 291 penalty minutes in 212 games. In his final season with the 67's, Bell established OHL career-highs with 38 assists, 72 points and 95 penalty minutes, and his 34 goals tied his career-high set during the 1997-98 season. He also appeared in 48 OHL post-season contests with Ottawa, tallying 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points, along with 35 penalty minutes.

The native of St. Paul's, Ontario was originally selected as the Chicago Blackhawks first round draft choice, eighth overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

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