Know Your Warbirds - Chris Bell

The Minnesota Warbirds would have a busy offseason, with one of the players acquired being former Thunder Cup Champion winger Chris Bell. Bell sat down with Art of War as the first player to step into the crosshairs of an ongoing feature called "Know your Warbirds".

Bell would break into the league in Season Four, drafted by Castors GM Randy Geralt. Bell who was predicted to go early would slide down to a mid first round pick before the Castors would select him. He would immediately slot into their lineup and play.

Brock Stevens: What was getting drafted like for you?

Chris Bell: I remember it was a bit nerve wracking that night. You were just waiting, sitting there wondering if and when you would go. I was thrilled when it was the Castors. I knew they were building something from the ground up and there was a great opportunity to step right in and play there. Given at that time there was no minor league in place that was a huge thing.

The winger would go on to record five goals and six assists in all 22 games for the Castors in his rookie season, notching 10 penalty minutes and finishing a -5. Bell played mostly fourth line minutes but was able to take those opportunities and give the Castors some great depth.
BS: You see the numbers, but what did you think of your first year in the league and what you accomplished?

CB: Getting to jump right into the lineup and appearing in all the games was a big thing. I just really was focused on trying to adjust and find my game in the league and contribute. I think the big thing back then was that we were the ones kicking off the Castors, we were making history literally. There was a lot of new guys, rookies, and some really solid respected players and it came together really well. Being able to contribute and capitalize on my chances when I had them was an important step to getting to play all the time.”

The Castors would reach the playoffs where they were eliminated by the Vancouver Falcons. Bell stepped up his game, notching two goals and three assists in all five playoff games. Bell improved his +/- to even and would only see two penalties against him, still, it would not be enough as the Castors fell to their fierce and hated rivals the Vancouver Falcons.

BS: The playoffs are called the second season. What was it like stepping right into something like that your first year in?

CB: The playoffs you want to elevate your game. It’s far more intense, the games mean that much more to not just you but everyone from the team to the fans. I really tried to minimize mistakes and keep contributing. I threw a lot of checks and really tried to be responsible in my own end. I had the chance to play on the top two lines for a bit there too and really tried to just seize the opportunity.

Bell would look to his sophomore year hoping to avoid the dreaded jinx, while more responsibility and attention was focused on him. The Castors made some key moves and with everything clicking would have a season few could have predicted. For his part Bell began the year changing his jersey number from 9 to 26, a move that was very personal.

BS: There was a number change for you, how did that came about since it seemed to come out of nowhere?

CB: My father played hockey, and 26 was his number. During the offseason he passed away and so I wanted to honor him and play wearing that number so I went to the team and the switch was made. It meant a great deal to be able to do such and well with how the season went it turned out pretty damn well I would say.

Bell would again appear in all 22 games, this time notching four goals and five assists, falling just two off his rookie campaign in points, however he would wind up improving to a +9 on the season as Castlegar rolled through the competition and was possibly one of the best ever teams assembled in the history of the BHL.

BS: It was a pretty remarkable season, what was your take on how things went?

CB: It was a great regular season. I really was focused on making sure I played a strong two way game. I was looking to pass more really, I think I got away from shooting the puck, but it was more a side effect of thinking more defensive than offensive so it worked out. Of course there was the whole hold it hold it thing.

Bell and the Castors would then march to the championship series against Toronto, and what would prove the most improbable and memorable night of Bell’s career. On the way Bell racked up four goals and seven assists for 11 points while being +3. The highlight was game seven where Bell was named 1st star after collecting the hat trick to seal the cup win for Castlegar.

BS: Obviously that had to be a career highlight, what happened come playoffs?

CB: I got four goals all playoffs and three came in that last game. It was just unreal. I think nobody, even me, expected that. It was probably just the best game I have had to date. It was definitely a career moment. The playoffs are just pure pressure and with such a strong season we really put even more on ourselves. We didn’t want to be another regular season wonder that flopped. I think everyone on the team literally found a whole other level to their game.”

The high of such would not last as Bell would wind up in a weird and confusing contract negotiation that lead to him deciding not to re-sign and test the restricted free agent waters. Bell would eventually wind up traded to the team he had in fact helped to eliminate not that long ago, the Toronto Vipers.

BS: Okay how is it you go from hero of the playoffs to traded once the season ended?

CB: That was really the hardest decision to make, but to this day I still feel and know it was the right one at that time. There were things that were said and happened I regret but really most of it was kept low key and in house so to speak. And really that is how it should be. Then again I also know a lot of crap was going on too that lead to the few public happenings, and as expected once something like that gets out a lot of people just love jumping into drama. It doesn’t matter that they have no real business doing such, and are in no way involved, the general take is well that’s my friend so they are automatically right and screw you. It was what it was and really I don’t dwell on it at all. I was a Castor through and through. For the record I never once demanded a trade, and merely decided I would go test the restricted free agent waters. While there I was all about the team and have very good memories and we definitely left our mark.

CB (cont): Going to Toronto was like a fresh start. I was looking forward to it, especially since my girlfriend had just been drafted there. Hometown guy gets the chance to stay in Canada and play in front of the home crowd. And much like Castlegar there was going to be a revamping of things and some history to be made once again. It just ended up as not going to happen there. The team was pretty well dismantled and I was traded, but it worked out well in the end I do have to say.”

Bell, who is involved with Priscilla Williams, would be traded with her to the Dakota Warbirds, who shortly after were renamed to Minnesota. It was a move that saw Bell switch positions to the right wing, and later in another move see him re-united with Adam Stevens who would also wind up from Toronto to Minnesota via free agency.
BS: So you get traded twice in one off season. What was it like going to Minnesota?

CB: We have such a great group here. It’s really gotten me back wanting to get going on the ice and really revitalized me. I’ve been working hard to get ready to go, and working on my offensive game to get it back going a bit more. It’s nice to be able to feel that camaraderie and really we are a pretty laid back and tight knit group. We can screw around, take shots at one another, but we also know everyone has that respect for one another here. Minnesota is a damn fine place to be playing hockey and honestly I’m pretty damn happy to be here.”

On moving to the Minnesota area, Bell and Williams got a place close to the arena and settle in. Bell, who was always active in the Castlegar community quickly began getting his teammates together for events all over the city fueling a huge fan response for their team.
BS: You sold your place, actually settling here, and really brought your community focus to the team. How has that gone and what other things have you got planned?
CB: This is a fantastic place, and we have just rabid loyal fans. It’s amazing, and a bit overwhelming coming from the small tight knit Castlegar to here, but there is just this energy here you just feed off and love. I can’t wait to play here, and getting to be about the community for events it’s just great. We’ve done a fishing derby, a barbeque, a bunch of stuff but we are going to have plenty more events and we try and make them for everyone too. I think Minnesota will definitely be the team everyone knows and if you are not at a Warbirds game, that’s just because you are a loser who thinks there is something better to do on a game night. Lonely acne faced guys counting their sock drawers or trying to be the online cyber king stroking it. Wait can I say that? Oh well, just did..”

The liking for his new team would be evident when, upon being acquired, Bell would sign a contract extension to remain with the Warbirds until the end of Season Eight.

SB: You came in and pretty much immediately signed an extension to remain with the Warbirds. How did that come about?

CB: Honestly, it was a good fit. Greg (Ezell) really sold me on the team and the direction and vision he has for it. Right away he made sure I knew he wanted me as a part of this franchise and the guys in charge all really showed they had great lines of communication and that was a really big thing. We have great guys here and a solid locker room. I was just comfortable being here and a part of the team that I felt that signing the extension was the right thing to do. I am really looking forward to being a Warbird and honestly can see sticking around for the rest of my career in the BHL even.”

Management and fans alike are now just left waiting for the start of the season to see what number 26 brings to the ice as the Warbirds head into Season Six with high expectations.