The Montreal Canadiens made a minor trade on Friday, acquiring defenceman Shawn Belle from the Minnesota Wild in return for forward Corey Locke.
Belle, 23, played in the American Hockey League for the past three seasons. In 2007-08, he registered three points and 74 penalty minutes in 63 games with the Houston Aeros. The 6-2, 232 lbs defenceman played nine games for the Wild during the 2006-07 season, scoring an assist (0-1-1).
The Edmonton, Alberta native was the St. Louis Blues’ first round selection, 30th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
Scouting reports on Shawn Belle:
From andrewsstarspage.com:
A gifted athlete with great size. Is a superb skater with outstanding acceleration. Uses that skating ability to move the puck up ice and avoid trouble. Is a good passer whose wrist shot and slap shot are both hard and accurate. Has struggled with consistency. Has been used as more of an offensive defenseman in juniors, but scored high marks at the 2005 World Junior Championships when he focused on defense to help. Canada win the gold medal. Has shown steady improvement in hockey sense and positioning to develop into a good two-way defenseman
Source: Top Prospects: Shawn Belle
From Hockey’s Future (Jeff Dahlia):
Talent Analysis
Belle is a well-balanced skater who has good speed. He is very athletic, highly skilled and can play in all situations. He is good positional player when he wants to be. He has great height and weight distribution, though a little more muscle could never hurt. He is a very capable defenseman with the stick and has a big league shot. Even though he is a great two-way player, he shows his youthfulness by trying to do too much.
Source: 02-28-2007 – Wild Top 20 prospects
From Hockey’s Future (Ian Altenbaugh):
Shawn Belle, D – 1st round, 30th overall (Tri-City Americans, WHL)NHL games: 9Status: NHL Prospect Drafted 30th overall for his strong skating, the 6’1 defenseman returned to his WHL team for another two years. After being traded to the Dallas Stars before 2004-05 season, Belle finished his fifth and final year in juniors, posting an impressive 13 goals and 32 assists in 62 games. In the 2005-06 season, Belle made his pro debut with Dallas’ AHL affiliate the Iowa Stars. He played 45 games and posted three points before being traded at the deadline with Martin Skoula to the Minnesota Wild for Willie Mitchell and a second-round pick in the 2007 draft. Belle finished 2005-06 the season with five points in 61 games split between the Wild’s AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros, and the Iowa Stars. Belle finally made his NHL debut in the 2006-07 season after Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster was hit in the throat with a puck. Belle made the most of his opportunities finishing with one assist and a +4 in nine games. Since his brief call-up, however, Belle has not appeared in any NHL games and has remained a regular on the Wild’s AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros.
Source: 06-01-2008 – Blues 2003 draft evaluation
Habster:
Sorry folks, but I have a hyper Lab to walk but I’ll have more to say on this minor yet important deal…….bye-bye Brisebois!!!! Belle is a very fast skater and is a talent who hasn’t had enough chances……….more later!!!!