Mark Bell (ice hockey)
Mark Bell (born August 5, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward and current coach. He was drafted eighth overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and played in the NHL for the Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Anaheim Ducks. He later had stints in Switzerland and Germany before retiring in 2016.
Playing career
Bell grew up in St. Pauls, Ontario, and played junior hockey for the Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League, winning the Memorial Cup in 1998–99. He helped Canada win a bronze medal at the 2000 World Junior Championships.
Chicago Blackhawks
Bell was the eighth pick in 1998 by the Blackhawks. He formed a notable line with Tyler Arnason and Kyle Calder, and spent several productive seasons in Chicago, scoring 72 goals and 151 points in 339 games. He was traded to the Sharks in 2006.
San Jose Sharks
Bell signed a $6.5 million contract with San Jose in 2006. His time there was hampered by a wrist injury and off-ice issues, and he finished with limited production (11 goals, 21 points in 71 games) and playoff roster usage.
Toronto Maple Leafs
In 2007, Bell was traded to the Maple Leafs. He was suspended for 15 games due to a DUI incident. He returned to play but sustained a facial fracture and, after a partial recovery, spent time with Toronto’s AHL affiliate, the Marlies, after clearing waivers in 2008.
New York Rangers
Bell was claimed off re-entry waivers by the New York Rangers in February 2009 and was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL. He did not remain with the Rangers beyond that season.
Switzerland
Bell attended the Philadelphia Flyers’ training camp in 2009 but chose to sign with Kloten Flyers in Switzerland’s top league, where he played 108 games across two seasons. He also represented Canada at the 2009 and 2010 Spengler Cups.
Anaheim Ducks
In 2011 Bell signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks. He started with the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL, was recalled to the Ducks in January 2012 for a five-game stint, then returned to the Crunch for the rest of the season.
Germany
Bell moved to Europe again in 2012 with the Iserlohn Roosters of the DEL, then joined Eisbären Berlin for the 2013–14 season. He suffered concussions and ankle injuries, made a comeback in early 2016, and retired at the end of the season.
Coaching career
In July 2016, Bell joined the St. Marys Jr. ‘B’ Lincolns as an assistant coach.
Legal trouble
During Labor Day weekend in 2006 in Milpitas, California, Bell was involved in a DUI crash and hit-and-run incident. He was arrested after leaving the scene, with a blood-alcohol level of 0.15. He pleaded no contest to drunk driving causing injury and hit-and-run, served time in a California jail in 2008, and received a 15-game NHL suspension. Bell later spoke about turning his life around and becoming sober.
Career highlights
- 8th overall pick in 1998 NHL Draft (Chicago Blackhawks)
- Played in the NHL for Chicago, San Jose, Toronto, and Anaheim
- Won a Memorial Cup with Ottawa 67’s (1998–99) and bronze at the 2000 World Junior Championship with Canada
- Later played in Switzerland and Germany; retired in 2016
- Began coaching career with St. Marys Lincolns in 2016
Career statistics (highlights)
- NHL totals: 450 games, 87 goals, 95 assists, 182 points
- Also played in the AHL and DEL, plus time in Switzerland with Kloten Flyers
- Represented Canada at the World Junior Championship (bronze, 2000) and at the Spengler Cup (2009, 2010)
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 22:02 (CET).