SACKVILLE, N.B. — Remember the name Dan Bell as he continues to carve out a remarkable career in helping to lead the Mount Allison Mounties to the promised land.
At just 18 years of age, this Saint John rookie has already been awarded rookie-of-the-year designation in the Atlantic University Football Conference while, at the same time, being named to the conference all-star team. And thus he became a finalist at the national level – one of four from U Sport vying for the title. Such names as Valardo and Keirstead have come from the Port City to leave their mark in Sackville, but Bell could easily be remembered as number one.
And what, you may ask, did this young man do to gain instant fame? Well, fans who took in many of the games during the past season soon noticed No. 4 roaming the defensive backfield with more confidence than might be expected from a rookie. Statistically, he snared a trio of pass attempts by the opposition, created three forced fumbles and played havoc. He joined Sackville rookie Lucas Cormier to provide a tough defensive zone as the two graduates of the New Brunswick High School Football League showed newcomers the transition can become seamless under the right conditions.
As a member of the Saint John Greyhounds, Bell played “all over the place” including receiver, running back and defense and recalls facing the Titans on several occasions and particularly Cormier who is now his buddy.
“We never had any complaints, like some of the other teams, with the manner in which the Titans played,” he said during a recent discussion. “As a matter of fact, our coaching staff marveled at how the Titan staff was able to work in so many complicated plays to perfection.”
Unlike some teams, Bell said the Greyhounds enjoyed their games with the tiny Sackville school and denied the Titans ever took advantage of the rules but simply played hard on every down.
Bell spent four seasons with Team New Brunswick – one with the U15, one with U17 and two with the U18 squad. As such, he met with and played beside a number of Sackville athletes.
“I’m definitely glad I chose to attend Mount Allison as Sackville is such a close-knit community and our team of 87 guys is just one big happy family.”
Meanwhile, coach Peter Fraser said Bell had been high on their list of recruits last year and they counted him and Cormier as special people.
“I would not approved of his playing senior ball last season as no university coach wants to take a chance on their key players getting injured in that way.”
While he did not commit, it would seem that Fraser may put a stop to having his players compete during the off-season. But Bell believes the experience with the Wanderers did him a world of good. He says that playing against men in the Maritime Senior League was the key for him in making the transition to university ball.
The six-foot-two-inch, 210 pounder is enrolled in the commerce program as he appears not interested in following in his dad’s footsteps – a school teacher. And so the ideally built DB is eagerly looking forward to playing a role as the Mounties again become dominant in the AUS and, in the meantime, is devoting time and energy to recruiting the best players from southern New Brunswick to join him to help rebuild the team that has peaked from time to time with the goal of advancing along the trail leading to the Vanier Cup.
