Brendan Bell Making Most Of His Stint With Leafs
Posted October 18, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After serving as the captain of the O.H.L.’s Ottawa 67’s, representing Canada at the world junior tournament, and being named the CHL’s top defenceman, Brendan Bell thought his path to the National Hockey League was paved in gold. But after struggling in his first few years in the American Hockey League, Bell’s confidence, and his dreams of making the N.H.L. slowly began to erode.
“I thought the AHL would be a breeze,” he said. “That’s not the case. It’s obviously a very, very good developmental league. I wasn’t ready for the challenge of the AHL.”
Bell admits that at just 20, he was unprepared to take the step up in competition. Three years later, however, he’s settled in nicely with Toronto Maple Leafs.
“My expectations might have been a little bit unrealistic,” he admits. “Coming off a great year in Ottawa, there was talk of me making the (Maple Leafs) as a 20-year-old.
“I had it in my mind that it was going to happen and when it didn’t, I was obviously disappointed.”
Over the next two years Bell was called up three times before finally making his NHL debut.
Paul Maurice has been impressed with his poise on the ice.
“I thought he really wanted the puck,” said Maurice. “I thought that he looked like he was looking for it. He wanted to go back and be the first one to get it and skate a little bit with it.
“That’s really what Brendan’s game is. I thought he had a confidence with himself and I liked it.”
His position is by no means cemented, however. With several Leafs on the injured list, Bell knows he has to maintain a high level of play to stick with the team.
“I’m just waiting to see where things go,” he said. “I’m playing it safe for the time being.”
“Anytime you get a chance to play, you’ve got to take advantage of it.”
“When opportunity comes knocking, you’ve got to be there for it.”
