In the 75-year history of the Chicago Blackhawks, the club has been awarded the eighth overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft three times.

In 1987, goaltender Jimmy Waite became the first Blackhawk draftee to be selected out of the eighth spot. Current Phoenix Coyote and perennial NHL All-Star Jeremy Roenick was next, picked eighth overall the following June.

The last time the Hawks picked eighth was in 1998, when the team chose Mark Bell, a bruising center from the Ottawa 67's in the OHL. A native of St. Paul's, Ontario, Bell arrived highly regarded after a 34-goal, 60-point output in the season preceding the draft.

But, unlike Roenick and Waite, each of whom made their NHL debut the season after their respective drafts, Bell has yet to set foot on NHL ice.

The 20-year-old Bell, who tallied 72 points in 48 games in juniors last season despite missing most of the second half with a concussion, made his professional debut this season for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.

Through his first 20 games of the season, Bell has recorded five goals and 16 points to tie for sixth in rookie scoring. His five multi-point games this season leads the Admirals, who owned a respectable 9-8-3 record through November 28.

Bell's production has been nothing but promising to the Blackhawks, who have missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Bell has the build for a prototypical NHL power- forward. According to scouts, he uses his size very well, especially in the corners, and can fire a hard, accurate shot. His lack of speed and inconsistency are the only things keeping him from changing addresses to the Windy City.

Q&A with Mark Bell
Q: What was it like growing up playing hockey in Canada?
A: Our town of St. Paul's (Ontario) had only 80 people. I played there first, then in St. Marie and then in Stratford, which are all within about 20 minutes of each other. We never played in the best rinks.

Q: What was draft day like?
A: The draft that year was in Buffalo, which is three hours from my hometown. It was a lot of fun, and my whole family was there. It was just a relief to get drafted.

Q: What was your thinking heading into the draft?
A: There were rumors about Calgary, but that never happened. I knew the Rangers were not going to pick me (with the seventh choice), so I thought it was going to be Chicago.

Q: What was your reaction to becoming a Blackhawk?
A: I was excited to go to a team that was struggling a little, and still is now. They brought me out there for a few days after the draft to do some things around the city. It's a great town.

Q: Can you describe your first training camp?
A: It was back in '98. I roomed with Doug Gilmour, who is twice my age! He really taught me a lot, especially that things don't always go your way in this game. He also told me that I shouldn't let my struggles get me down and not to get bothered by what people might say about me. I actually thought I played really well in camp, probably because I was told that I was going back to Juniors (Ottawa 67's) anyway.

Q: Did your concussion last season give you a new outlook on the game?
A: Definitely. It happened last February when I was having a great season (72 pts in 48 games) for Ottawa. I basically got hit in the chin by a flying shoulder. I sat out for about a month, came back for a few games, then I didn't feel right and couldn't play anymore. It's really scary because of all the horror stories you hear, but I haven't felt any effects this season.

Q: When you were sent down this season, what did the Hawks ask you to improve upon in Norfolk?
A: I just need to become a more consistent player and play hard every shift. I cannot afford to take a shift off.

Q: On the lighter side, you have only been in the AHL for a short period of time. What is your favorite city thus far?
A: I love our hometown. I was the last cut (from Chicago) and basically had to find a place pretty quickly. I got lucky and got a place in Virginia Beach, which has been awesome.

Q: Do you have a hobby away from the ice?
A: I really like to listen to music. I guess I would call that my hobby.

Steve Kournianos writes for Sportsticker.