Leafs' Bell suspended indefinitely

[Habsfan84]

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell has been suspended indefinitely without pay after being placed into stage two of the NHL's substance abuse program.
In order to be reinstated, Bell will require the recommendation of program doctors along with the approval of both the National Hockey League and the NHLPA.
In August, the 27 year old Bell pleaded no contest to drunk driving and hit and run charges.
Charges, stemming from an incident in California September 1st, 2006, that will force Bell to serve six months in county jail at the end of the season.

''I'm not running away from the mistakes I made,'' Bell told reporters. ''I'm meeting it head on, taking the steps necessary to make it better, and learning from the mistakes that I made.

''Sometimes you think everything is going great and your life takes a turn for the worst. You deal with it and move ahead. Things happen for a reason, and this happened to me for a reason and I'm moving ahead in a positive manner.''
Bell's plea encouraged his placement into stage two as outlined by the substance abuse program even though more than a year has passed since the incident took place. Bell has said that he has not had a drink since the incident.
''He's been under good care, he's fully complied with all of the testing through the year,'' said Leafs GM John Ferguson. ''It's my understanding that the Stage 2 process is related . . . to the plea arrangement.''
Further league involvement has yet to be determined.
The NHL could defer to the discipline specified in the program along with the opinion of the programs doctors. Or, the possibility of an additional suspension exists if the league decides a stronger message needs to be delivered.
Bell's agent Larry Kelly believes the incident could become a positive force in his client's life.
''This has been actually a very good story,'' Kelly told the Canadian Press. ''It's been a life-changing event for Mark.
''Mark has done absolutely everything asked of him. He's co-operated in every way. I think he's really benefitted from the program to date.''
The Maple Leafs acquired Bell in June along with goaltender Vesa Toskala in a trade with the San Jose Sharks.
The Leafs will open training camp on September 13. The substance abuse program's doctors will determine to what degree Bell will be able to participate.