NHL ENTRY DRAFT

June 27, 1998

Mark Bell

MARK BELL: It is a small town of 100 people. Then you go to Ottawa, which is like Chicago, I am ecstatic. This is unbelievable right now.

MARK BELL: There is a lot of pride with this Jersey on right now. I am going to wear it with a lot of pride. It probably means more to me - it might not mean more to other people.

MARK BELL: Mike is my cousin, so it makes it even bigger. It is a big thrill from a small town for this.

MARK BELL: I jumped around a lot this year in positions. I really don't have a preference. I feel I get more involved with left wing. That is just my personal feeling. I think coach wants me to play center, so that is where I will play.

MARK BELL: I was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. I had a great time. They treated me well.

MARK BELL: I came with an open mind today. I didn't really know where I was going to go. It is just -- it is great. I didn't know until they said my name, so it is great.

MARK BELL: Yeah, I went there two weeks ago to Chicago.

MARK BELL: I have been to a lot of rinks. It is the biggest rink I have seen in a long time. It is good for me skating and stuff. It is a great town and a great suburb, downtown is nice and I couldn't be happier right now.

MARK BELL: I kind of thought I was going to go there. It was definitely a shock.

MARK BELL: No, I didn't. I spoke to them pretty much all through the year and it was a guy who comes to practice, Mr. Hagan. He comes to practice. He is a scout for Chicago, so he was talking to me the whole year, seeing how I was and stuff, so....