New York Rangers sign Free Agent Defender Brendan Bell –NHL offseason Update
After remaining an unrestricted free agent for the past two seasons, defenseman Brendan Bell was finally signed on by New York Rangers after reaching mutual terms with the management for a return to the National Hockey League (NHL). Financial and length
terms and conditions of the contract were not disclosed by either of the involved parties.
The 28-year-old began his career in the North American major league after playing with various minor league teams for a number of seasons. Bell’s first recognition was with Ottawa Jr. Senators in the Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL) during the 1998-1999
regular season in which he potted 27 points (7 goals, 20 assists) in 54 games played.
In the following season, Brendan Bell moved on to Ottawa’s more well known minor league franchise, Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the next four seasons including participation in World Junior Championships with Team Canada twice.
Bell was selected as the 65th overall pick during round-three of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by Toronto Maple Leafs and played his first major league game with them during the 2005-2006 season.
The next season in 2006-2007, he appeared in 31 games and registered five points (1 goal, 4 assists) but was traded to Phoenix Coyotes during the season, and recorded another two points (2 assists) with them in 14 games.
During the 2007-2008 season, Bell was pushed to played only two matchups and did not register a single point but spent the remaining portion playing for their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, San Antonio Rampage.
His last NHL performance was with Ottawa Senators, which is also his hometown team, with whom he played 53 games and put up career high numbers, 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) along with a plus-minus rating of -5 and 24 penalty minutes.
Since then, Bell has been playing with Peoria Rivermen and Syracuse Crunch after failing to secure an extension with Senators. Now being signed on by New York Rangers, Bell, if given a chance to play in the major league instead of minor affiliates, will
have a chance at starting afresh with one of the top franchises.
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