Amarillo, TX 5/26/09 – Four-year Central Hockey League player Gordon Bell has re-signed with the Amarillo Gorillas for the 2009-10 season, the team announced Wednesday. In 53 games with Amarillo last year, the 29-year-old forward netted nine goals and 21 assists. Bell also amassed 75 penalty minutes, along with 12 power play points.
“The Gorillas are happy to have Gord back in our lineup for 2009-10,” said Gorillas Head Coach Brian Pellerin. “The leadership he brings to the team, along with his experience and work ethic, will be a valuable asset to the squad as we head forward.”
The Westlock, Alberta native saw action during his first two professional seasons with the Oklahoma City Blazers, playing a combined 91 games and scoring 62 points. Bell has been a model of consistency during each of his three CHL campaigns, having never scored fewer than 26 points or nine goals in a season. He is a career +1 as a professional, and enjoyed marked success under Pellerin’s tenure last season (24 points in 31 games).
“I am very happy to be coming back to Amarillo, with the fans and the community support we have. I look forward to joining my friend and team leader Austin Sutter on the Gorillas, and hopefully we can convince some excellent players to come to Amarillo,” said Bell. “I will strive to make the team a success in 2009-10.”
Prior to his professional career, Bell enjoyed successful seasons with Grant MacEwan College of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference from 2002-04. He was named the school’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2004 for his 42-point effort in 27 games during his sophomore season. Bell skated with St. Mary’s University in Canada during his junior and senior seasons, scoring 29 total points in 56 games.
Bell joins fellow Alberta native Austin Sutter as Gorillas re-signed for 2009-10. He was Amarillo’s offensive player of the month for February 2009 with ten points in 12 games, and concluded the season with a three game point streak.
