Minnesota has hired Pittsburgh Penguins scout Scott Bell as its new assistant coach.
Bell replaces Grant Potulny, who left in April to become Northern Michigan's head coach. Monday's announcement ends a search and interview process that attracted several of college hockey's top assistant candidates.
Coming off of Pittsburgh's second consecutive Stanley Cup, Bell spent the past five seasons in the Penguins organization. In that time Pittsburgh drafted Midwest collegians such as Jake Guentzel, Josh Archibald, Teddy Blueger, Frederik Tiffels and Ryan Jones. Prior to that he was head coach at Hamline (St. Paul), helping turn around a downtrodden Pipers program with two MIAC championships in six seasons.
Bell, like Potulny and associate head coach Mike Guentzel, is a Gopher alum. The Inver Grove Heights, MN native played under Doug Woog from 1990-1995. He finished with 81 points in 146 games.
“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 & Gold,” Bell said in a statement. “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.”
Bell joins Guentzel and volunteer assistant coach Justin Johnson on head coach Don Lucia's staff.
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