Sep 4, 2007, 20:06 GMT
New York, NY - The NHL suspended Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell indefinitely without pay on Tuesday and placed him in the league's substance abuse program.
Bell pleaded no contest in August to hit-and-run charges and drunken driving, both charges coming from an incident in California last September, when Bell was a member of the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old will serve six months in jail next summer after the end of the season.
The upcoming season is now up in the air for Bell, though. He will be suspended until approval for his reinstatement is given by the NHL, the NHL players' union, and program doctors.
The Maple Leafs, who acquired Bell in a draft-day trade in June along with goaltender Vesa Toskala in exchange for three draft picks, will open training camp on September 13 for the upcoming season. It is unclear what, if any involvement Bell will have in Maple Leafs camp. The final determination on the level of Bell's involvement will be determined by program doctors.
Bell has scored 83 goals and accrued 89 assists in 410 career games with the Sharks and Blackhawks. He finished with 11 goals and 10 assists in 71 games for the Sharks last season.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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