BRYAN WILSON – 09.22.2023
Parker Bell checked a monumental item off the bucket list on Thursday when he signed his entry-level deal with the Flames.
“It was probably the best phone call of my life,” he said with a grin on Thursday. “It’s what I’ve worked hard for this (past) year.
“It’s an amazing feeling, (just) really humbled to get that done.”
Bell notched 25 goals and 64 points in 55 games with the Tri-City Americans (WHL) in last season. The 19-year-old got a taste of professional hockey, as well, appearing in two games for the Wranglers, recording an assist.
Pen to paper! ✍️ https://t.co/9LpfV55nA9
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) September 21, 2023
The quiet kid from Estevan, Sask., made some noise at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton last week.
A year prior, an injury forced Bell to miss the tournament, which was a tough pill to swallow, so he made sure to make the most of his opportunity this time around.
“I felt good, skating with those guys (in Penticton),” said Bell. “(It’s) a great group (and) development team here and I feel like I learned a lot.”
Bell credits his off-season training in Calgary for helping him get to the point where he was finally able to put pen to paper and sign his first NHL deal. He worked on his skating over the summer, focusing on his edgework, and also put on weight during the off-season, coming into camp listed at 6-foot-4, 205 lb., and he’s happy with the progress he made, once again, checking off a few more boxes.
“Bigger, faster, stronger,” he said. “I think I did that.”
