DIDSBURY - Mountain View Colts forward Steven Bell is leading his team in scoring this season with 15 goals and 13 assists for 28 points – and he credits his linemates for much of his success.
In his second year with the Heritage Junior B Hockey League team, Bell is a left winger on the line with captain Patron Rothenbusch and Hayden Sotheran.
“We started playing together starting last December when we got put together,” said Bell, 20. “There is great chemistry with us together. I think we can all see the game pretty well and we are fast line so that helps too when your able to play fast in today’s game.”
A life-long Olds resident, Bell played most of his minor hockey in Olds, although he did spent a year playing in Penticton, B.C, in his Grade 12 year.
The play of first-string Colts netminder Chance Griffiths has been a big part of the team’s success this season, he said.
First-year head coach Dan Visser has put together a great campaign and former head coach and current assistant coach Gord Olsen has also been instrumental in the team’s success, he said
For his part, Visser calls Bell an “exceptional player who leads by example.”
“His success is due to unbelievable NHL speed,” said Visser. “I believe he is the faster player in the league. You can put him out on every situation, which tells you his role the team and how valuable a player he is.”
If the Colts end up making the playoffs – and the team is certainly in line for that right now – the squad should be able to make a good run, he said.
“I think we have a really good chance this year,” he said. “Hopefully we can go far. We are playing well as a group.”
Bell’s linemate and team captain Rothenbusch is second in Colts scoring with 21 points, including 16 assists.
