Harry "Huddy" BELL was born 31 October 1925, at Regina, Saskatchewan. Huddy was one of the five new owners of the 1985-1986 Regina Pats. He was one of the first defenseman credited with using the slap shot. He and his brothers were involved in apartment construction and ownership of the Bell City Motel (which became the Sandman Inn). (Photo: Speers Funeral Home - Family picture)

Harry started his hockey with the Regina Commandos (SJHL) in 1943-1944 and played in the Memorial Cup that year. The following year had Military Service. Played with the New York Rovers (EAHL) 1945-46. The next year 1946-47 played with New Haven Ramblers (AHL), plus 1 game with the New York Rangers (NHL). Next played with St. Paul Saints (USHL) in 1948 to 1950, Tacoma Rockets (PCHL) 1950-51 season. Bakc with the New York Rovers (EAHL) 1951-1952 and finished his hockey career with the Regina Caps (SSHL) from 1952 to 1954. Was selected on the (SSHL) 1952-53 All-Star Team.

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From my cousin - Will Klein, Scottsdale, Arizona ,
at 12:04 p.m. - Regina Pats Part Owner - 1979-1983
Received an e-mail from him - 12:10 p.m. this date: Yes, I did know Huddy, as a matter of fact the home we have lived in for the past 21 years we purchased from Huddy.
I was not a personal friend of his but knew him socially. He had a very interesting background and his life would make a great movie, talk about rags to riches. At one time he was probably the largest private land holder/trader in Arizona (would have to be confirmed).

His brother Dick Bell (a paraplegic became an excellent golfer)

He was an excellent athlete in his younger days, played in the NY Rangers chain for the NY Rovers when he was a teen ager. I believe credit is given to Boom Boom Geofrion for inventing the slap shot but I have heard it attributed to Huddy Bell on many occasions.

He became a low handicap golfer. He came to Arizona to help overcome severe arthritis, I heard he was actually taken off a flight from Canada to Phoenix on a stretcher in the ‘60s (he came here because of the very dry temperatures) and the relocation worked miracles for him.

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e-mail from Orville Off, Ex-Regina Pat - 12:37 p.m.

Apparently Huddy was in Regina a few days ago and was staying at Hotel Saskatchewan and the story is that he fell and hurt his head. He had a hip replacement in Scottsdale a short time ago, I don't know if that was the cause of the fall. He went to the hospital in Regina and had a scan that didn't show any damage. He then flew back to Scottsdale and suffered a blood clot in the brain and apparently died a few hours later. I understand the funeral will be in Regina next Wednesday.

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REGINA LEADER POST:

Huddy Bell
Published: 2009-09-02
Phoenix, US-AZ

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Huddy Bell on Thursday, August 27, 2009, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 83 years. A very recent fall while doing business in Regina, Saskatchewan led to his untimely death. He was predeceased by the love of his life, Shirley, in 1997, after 48 years of marriage. Huddy will be greatly missed by his children: Ruth Anne (Gary) Carpendale and her sons, Riley and Casey Darke of Kelowna, British Columbia; Dr. Thomas (Lorie) Bell, his son, Taylor and their children Nicholas and Savannah of Toronto, Ontario; Dr. Shirley (DeeDee) (Dr. Tom) Maltman and their children, Tyler, Crombie, Reid and Tasha of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Lisa Wolfe and her children, Moorea, Whitney, Clayton and Cody of Scottsdale, Arizona. Huddy was born in Regina to Thomas and Nellie Bell on October 31, 1925. As a young child, he was already an entrepreneur, selling chocolate bars and delivering the Leader Post. By age 13, he had quit school, hopped a freight train to Ontario, and worked in the bush as a welder and truck driver. His childhood love of hockey grew and by age 16, he first travelled to New York City to play. As a teen, he also competitively raced cars and motorcycles, as well as bought and sold cars to help make a living. Huddy's hockey career really started with the Regina Commandos (SJHL) 1943-44 and he played in the Memorial Cup that year. He played with the New York Rovers (EAHL) 1945-46. Huddy was with the New Haven Ramblers (AHL) 1946-47 and was called up to the New York Rangers (NHL) by the end of the year. He played with the Saint Paul Saints (USHL) 1948 to 1950 and the Tacoma Rockets (PCHL) 1950-51. Huddy was back with the New York Rovers (EAHL) 1951-52 and finished his career with the Regina Caps (SSHL) from 1952 to 1954. He was selected to the SSHL All Star Team in 1952-53. During the 1980's, he was a co-owner of the Regina Pats Hockey Club. In the 1950's, he also played for the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Team. He has remained a loyal fan of the Riders since. After his hockey and football careers were over, Huddy enjoyed golfing for many years until very recently. From his days at the Regina Golf and Country Club to the Wascana Club, and more recently, the years spent at the Camelback Golf Club in Paradise Valley, Arizona; he certainly loved both the game and spending time with his many golf cronies. In the early 1950's, after a brief venture into the horse meat business in Toronto and Hamilton, he eventually established his own car lot in Regina, Stampede Motors. By 1959, he built the Bell City Motel on South Albert Street in Regina, which he owned until 1975. It is now known as the West Harvest Inn. During the 1950's and 1960's, Huddy had constructed numerous buildings and apartment blocks in both Regina and Saskatoon. He also owned the Georgia Hotel in Regina in the 1970's. It was during the 1970's that the focus of Huddy's business was moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Early on, he was a land developer, building apartments, condos and townhouses in Phoenix. In the 1980's, Huddy began working with the United States Federal Government and the Bureau of Land Management to acquire lands for National Parks. Acquiring and trading land in Arizona for development was his forte. He continued in the land business on various levels until the time of his death. Huddy was a self described "horse trader" and loved "making the deal" most of all. His lack of formal education was greatly overshadowed by his street smarts and the ability to "close the deal today, on a handshake". This was the secret to his success. His love of the car business also continued through the years as you could still fi nd him at the car auction just a few weeks ago. From the runner up bid to purchase the Queen Mary for anchor in Vancouver Harbour, to turning down an employment offer from the Hunt Brothers of Dallas; receiving an invitation to the Republican 1995 Inaugural Ball, to a mention in Peter C. Newman's book, The Acquisitors, his life was always colourful and exciting. This large life full of these many experiences defined him. Huddy's infectious laugh and his welcoming demeanour made everyone around him aware of how he enjoyed life to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by many people but especially by his family. His lifelong commitments to his family will always be remembered. Huddy is also survived by his younger brother Richard (Dick) (Betty) Bell; predeceased by his older brothers, George and William (Bill) and his sister Margaret. Many thanks to Dr. C. Appleton, Dr. S. Swanson, Dr. B. Kimbel, Dr. M. Spangel, Dr. B. Patel and the many staff involved in Dad's excellent care over the years at the Mayo Clinic and hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. The Funeral Service will be held in Regina, Saskatchewan, Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Heritage Alliance Church, 3575 Hillsdale Street, Regina with Dr. Bill McAlpine presiding. In honour of Huddy's memory, please consider supporting Kidsport, 1870 Lorne Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2L7 or the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, Provincial Office, #1 - 345 3rd Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1M6.

Burial: 48C-14-B