Scott Bell, who played 146 career games for the Gophers men's hockey team in the 1990s, was named a Gophers assistant coach Monday by head coach Don Lucia.
"As a former two-time Gopher captain, Scott checked all the boxes for what I was looking for," Lucia said in a news release. "He has tremendous support from our alumni, has strong NHL connections, he's a relentless recruiter, a successful coach, and he is well respected in the hockey community of Minnesota."
Bell, 45, was a scout for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins for the past five seasons. The Penguins clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup title on Sunday. The Inver Grove Heights native spent six years as head coach at Hamline, leading the Pipers to MIAC titles in 2008 and 2011 and two other conference title game appearances. Bell also was head coach and general manager of the Rockford Ice Hogs of the United Hockey League, and an assistant at both St. Thomas and Augsburg.
"I'm thrilled to be coming home to the University of Minnesota. This has always been a dream of mine, and people who know me know that I bleed Maroon and Gold," Bell said in the news release. "I've been involved in hockey at pretty much every level, but this place has always had a special place in my heart, and I couldn't be more excited to once again be a part of Gopher Hockey."
As a player for the Gophers, Bell had 41 goals and 40 assists and was part of two NCAA Frozen Four teams. He played professionally in the IHL, AHL, ECHL and UHL.
Bell, who graduated from the U in 1995, lives in Edina with his three children.
