Thursday, September 22, 2011

Does Bell replace Barrie?

Did the Kelowna Rockets fill the void left by Tyson Barrie?


You would be hard pressed to find a d-man who is that creative offensively, but acquiring 18 year-old Myles Bell from the Regina Pats is a step in the right direction.


The Rockets gave up a lot in the deal, or did they? Nineteen year-old Colton Jobke is now a Regina Pat and the trade also involves a second and 5th round pick.


The belief is Bell could play his 18th, 19th and overage season with the Rockets, so in a best case scenario they obtain a three year player.
Draft picks are valuable no question, but they are still access to prospects that could or could not develop into top end WHL players.
Bell is a top end WHL player.
Bell has a heavy shot, makes a quick first pass and can play physical.
The Pats didn't miss when they made Bell a first round pick in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft.
Bell, who is from Calgary, was taken four players after the Rockets selected Shane McColgan 13th.
Last season, Bell played in 66 regular season games and put up 45 points...13 fewer than Barrie. Bell scored 14 times.
I found it interesting that Barrie had 52 points as an 17 year-old while Bell, who just turned 18 in August, recorded 45 points in about the same number of games.
The kid can play.
Wearing sweater #29, Myles Bell will practice with his new team this afternoon and will be in the lineup Saturday against the Everett Silvertips.

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