Adjusting on the fly can always be difficult in hockey, but Penn State sophomore forward Evan Bell (Livonia, Mich.) has been able to adapt from the defensive style of Hockey East play, to the seemingly run-and-gun pace of the Big Ten.
Bell transferred to Penn State from Merrimack College this past season, and had to sit out the fall semester while waiting to become eligible. While the wait was tough, he acknowledged Monday that he has enjoyed being back out on the ice.
"Yeah, it's definitely hard not playing," Bell said. "We have a great coaching staff here, so they definitely helped me with the transition. Knowing that I'd be able to come in here and start playing in the second semester was definitely helpful."
Bell has grown accustomed to the pace of Big Ten hockey. He grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, not far Michigan's campus in Ann Arbor, where Bell said he grew up watching hockey.
"That was definitely a homecoming game for me at Yost (Ice Arena) in Ann Arbor," Bell said. "I had probably 30 of my relatives there, and the coaching staff said they haven't seen that many family members for someone at a game in some time. It was right down the road from my house, and actually it was nice having them at the game. They haven't seen me play in a few years."
Bell recorded his first point for Penn State Jan. 4 against Minnesota, and was able to tally a pair of assists against Michigan State at Pegula Jan. 11-12. He acknowledged how different the pace of play has been and the adjustments made to adapt from Hockey East.
"The rate of play is so fast, especially with everyone having played for three, four months now," Bell said. "Our team, as well as others, are very conditioned so I had to be ready to play and it was tough, but I was ready."
Asked about Bell's style of play, head coach Guy Gadowsky lauded two skills that he sees most notably from the Michigan native.
"The most obvious thing to me is how he moves pucks," Gadowsky said. "He has an offensive mind, so he moves pucks extremely well."
"We are also trying to play a lot more aggressive defensively, and he's very comfortable closing gaps quickly. That, and the way he is able to move the puck with his skating are the biggest factors in both areas."
Bell got to experience playing on the ice at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Jan. 26, a 5-2 win for the Nittany Lions over Michigan. While Bell is in his first year in Hockey Valley, he talked about the great experience of being in the city for both himself and his teammates.
"That was an unbelievable experience for me, especially being able to hang out downtown with my teammates," Bell said. "I had never been in New York (City) before, so I got to experience the scene and it was awesome seeing all the people and the surroundings of Manhattan."
The Nittany Lions have four series remaining before the Big Ten Tournament, including this weekend at home vs. Minnesota, and as the season reaches the homestretch, Bell appreciates the league's level of play.
"Big Ten hockey is one of the best conferences around as of now," Bell said. "Playing out there is definitely a huge turn of events from different conferences, and whoever truly comes to play is going to win that game. We have a great team here, and it is fun to play against other top-end talent."
