River Otters Bring Back Bell Along With Goalie and Dman

Published on September 20, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Missouri River Otters News Release


St. Charles, MO --- The Missouri River Otters are proud to announce that they have re-signed center Chris Bell and added goaltender Jason Tapp and defenseman Josh Legge. Bell, 28, was a key contributer for the River Otters last season. Brought over early in the season in a trade with the Rockford Icehogs, the 6'0'', 200 pound pivot racked up 40 points in 54 games with the Otters. Along with being a top offensive playmaker, Bell proved to be a tenacious back checker, and also supplied some of the Otters biggest hits.

Missouri also inked Jason Tapp for the upcoming season. The 26-year-old netminder enters his third professional season and is coming off a stupendous sophomore year. In 33 games with the East Coast Hockey League's Columbus Cottonmouths, Tapp went 16-8-4 with a stingy 2.40 goals-against-average and an impressive 0.913 save percentage. The 5'7'', 185 pound backstopper played four years at hockey hotbed Boston University under renowned head coach Jack Parker.

The Otters added Josh Legge to help out in front of Tapp. Legge, 22, played most of his second professional season with the Toledo Storm of the ECHL. In 54 games last year with the Storm, the 6'2'', 185 pound defenseman scored three goals, dished out six assists, and amassed 68 penalty minutes. He joins an already impressive defensive corps that includes former NHL'er Dennis Vial, last year's top Otters assist man Bob Rapoza, and the also offensively gifted Mat Snesrud, among others.

The River Otters start their Colonial Cup quest Friday, October 15 at Kansas City, and the home opener is Saturday, October 23 against Quad City.

To purchase season or group tickets for the River Otters, please call (636) 896-4200!

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 20, 2004


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