Player Spotlight: Evan Bell

Story posted February 7, 2019 in CommRadio, Sports by Tom Johnston

Evan Bell is currently a sophomore defenseman for Penn State men’s hockey from Livonia, Michigan. Bell’s season just started in early January due to the fact that Bell transferred from Merrimack. Before the bye week last weekend, Penn State faced the Michigan Wolverines in a unique series. The first game was played on Jan. 24 in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the second game was played Jan. 26 in the world’s most famous arena: Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was a special trip overall for Bell as his family was in attendance.

“I had probably 30 of my relatives there,” Bell said. “The coaching staff here [at Penn State] was like they haven’t seen that many family members come to a game, but it was awesome. It's [Ann Arbor] right down the road from my home and it was nice seeing some of my aunts, uncles and grandparents at the game that they haven’t seen me play in about five or six years."

Having just started his season, Bell is just getting into the groove of things while the team itself has been on the grind for the past couple months. While practicing with the team is one thing, playing in actual games is another aspect.

“Hockey East is a more of a kind of run-and-gun style of play. It’s more just go, go, go,” he said. “Here [in the Big Ten] we have to worry about defensive zone we definitely have some of the top players in this conference that can score goals. So, it doesn’t matter what line is on the ice. It’s just knowing you have to be ready at all times."

Given he only played a total of five games last season with the Warriors, Bell is having a better experience with the Nittany Lions.

Bell has registered eight games thus far and looks to tackle the challenges of plating in the Big Ten for the remainder of the season. Bell currently has three assists thus far since starting in January.

Some regard Evan Bell as a defenseman with a “offensive mindset.”

No. 18 Penn State is home this weekend to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Both games will be televised this weekend on the Big Ten Network and puck drop for both games is scheduled for 6 p.m.

 

 

Tom Johnston is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email taj5211@psu.edu.