Senators Sign AHL Head Coach David Bell To A Two-Year Extension

06/15/2024 03:30 PM

Earlier today, it was noted that the Senators were turning their focus toward getting their AHL coaching staff finalized for next season.  It didn't take long to get the first piece of the puzzle in place as the team announced (Twitter link) that they've signed Belleville head coach David Bell to a two-year contract extension.  His deal was set to expire at the end of the month.

Bell has spent the last five seasons with Belleville.  He started as an assistant coach with them in 2019-20 and was elevated to the interim head coaching role in February 2023.  While they missed the playoffs that season, the interim tag was still lifted, a move that worked out well.  Belleville finished fourth in the North Division this season and then won the opening round of the playoffs over Toronto (their first series win in franchise history) before falling to Cleveland.

Bell has never worked at the NHL level but is certainly experienced behind a bench.  He has ten years of OHL coaching experience under his belt while he had four years of being an AHL assistant before joining Ottawa's system.  While he'll have to wait a little longer for his first opportunity at the top level, he now has a bit of stability while looking to build on a strong finish from this past season.