Steelheads re-sign defenseman Zach Bell

Boise, Idaho – Idaho Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Zach Bell on an ECHL contract, bringing the blue-liner back to Boise.

The Steelheads are the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars and the American Hockey League's Texas Stars.

Bell, 23, had his ECHL rights acquired last season by Idaho from the Orlando Solar Bears on Feb. 19. Bell became an immediate presence on the back end for the Steelheads, playing in 16 games and putting up six points (1g-5a). The St. John’s, Newfoundland native also provided a physical edge, registering 39 penalty minutes in the regular season with Idaho.

Bell played 49 games between the Solar Bears and Steelheads in 2015-16, totaling 11 points (3g-8a) with 107 penalty minutes. In seven playoff games, Bell logged 14 penalty minutes and was a +1 in a physical seven game series against the Allen Americans.

Bell has played parts of three professional seasons, all in the ECHL, with the Steelheads, the Orlando Solar Bears, and the Ontario Reign. In 91 career professional games, Bell has tallied 19 points (6g-13a) to go along with 209 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-2, 215 pound defender played parts of five seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League. Bell played four seasons with the Brampton Batallion and finished in 2014 with the London Knights, recording 82 points (20g-62a) in 274 junior games and playing in the Memorial Cup tournament with London.