When faced with the option of a contract expiring next spring or leaving for a multiyear deal, Scott Bell opted for longer job security. Bell, a Gophers assistant men's hockey coach last season and former team captain, has left the program to join the scouting staff of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.

Bell was retained as an assistant when new head coach Bob Motzko was hired to replace Don Lucia in March, but Bell's contract with the Gophers ran only through the 2018-19 season.

"There was a lot of uncertainty with Bob coming in, and he never expressed to me that I'd be there going forward," said Bell, 47. "NHL teams found that out, and I had a few teams show some interest.

"I was planning on staying with the Gophers and fulfilling my contract, and then Toronto came back at me with an excellent offer. It was like, 'Well, I can go on a multiyear contract or stay on a multi-month contract.' It was a difficult decision because I love the university."

Before joining the Gophers for the 2017-18 season, Bell spent the previous five years as a scout for Pittsburgh.

The interest in Bell from NHL teams didn't catch Motzko off-guard.

"It's not a surprise that he had a handful of teams coming after him,'' Motzko said. "He was an excellent scout for Pittsburgh, and he's a big-time recruiter. It's a great opportunity for him.''

Bell's departure creates an opening on Motzko's staff, and Motzko said he'll take his time in filling the position.

"We're sure not in a hurry today, but also we've got one month before the start of school,'' Motzko said. "I haven't reached out to a single soul yet, and I want to take a little time on this and gather all our thoughts before moving forward. ... I believe there are a lot of great candidates we can get for this job.''

Randy Johnson

Etc.

• Brennan Metzger hit a grand slam and drove in Fargo-Moorhead's other run, too, propelling the RedHawks past the St. Paul Saints 5-2 in Fargo, N.D. The Saints fell 2.5 games behind the RedHawks for the second playoff spot in the American Association's North Division.