David Bell Named Regina Pats Head Coach

Regina, Sask. – The Regina Pats Hockey Club is proud to announce the hiring of David Bell as the 44th Head Coach in franchise history. Bell, 49, joins the Pats following seven seasons with the American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators, the primary affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. He served as an assistant coach from 2019-23 before being promoted to head coach in 2023, a position he held through December 2025.

During his time with the Senators organization, Bell played an integral role in the development of numerous NHL players, including Drake Batherson, Josh Norris, Ridly Greig, Parker Kelly, Cole Reihnhardt, Mark Kastelic, and Zack Ostapchuk. As Belleville’s head coach, Bell compiled a 97-78-15-11 record over 201 regular season games, guided the club to the second round of the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, and led the Senators to a franchise-record 45-win season in 2024-25.

Following an extensive search, Bell emerged as the unanimous choice because of his proven leadership, outstanding communication skills, exceptional player development record, and clear vision for building a championship culture.

“We’re excited to welcome Dave and his family to our organization,” said Regina Pats General Manager Dale Derkatch. “Dave brings more than 20 years of coaching experience at both the Canadian Hockey League and American Hockey League levels and has a proven track record of developing young talent. Throughout our search, one thing became very clear—Dave was the right person to lead our hockey club into its next chapter.

“We weren’t simply looking for our next head coach—we were looking for someone who could become a teacher, mentor and leader for our players while helping establish the championship culture we believe will define the future of the Regina Pats. Dave embodies everything we were looking for. He is an outstanding communicator and an exceptional bench coach whose preparation, game management and competitive nature immediately stood out throughout our process.”

A native of Wiarton, Ontario, Bell’s coaching career spans more than two decades. He spent 13 seasons in the Ontario Hockey League between 2004 and 2017, serving as an assistant coach with the Owen Sound Attack, Barrie Colts and Niagara IceDogs before being named head coach of the IceDogs during the 2016-17 season.

Prior to joining the Ottawa organization, Bell spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League from 2017-19, helping develop prospects within the Los Angeles Kings system.

“What impressed us most is the way Dave builds meaningful relationships with his players,” Derkatch continued. “He believes trust is the foundation of development and creates an environment where players feel supported while also being challenged every day. He has a unique ability to push players outside of their comfort zones to reach their full potential while genuinely caring about them as hockey players and as people.

“Dave has a clear vision for where he wants to take this hockey team and shares our belief in building a championship culture through accountability, development, hard work and strong relationships. His values align with who we want to be as an organization. He is the right leader for our hockey club, and we’re excited to watch him lead this talented young group as we pursue our ultimate goal of bringing another WHL championship to Regina.”

Bell joins the Regina Pats at an exciting time for the organization as Brandt Sports & Entertainment continues its long-term investment in the franchise. With the recent acquisition of the Brandt Centre, the organization is committed to creating one of the premier player development environments in the Canadian Hockey League through significant investments in facilities, technology, health and performance resources, and the overall player experience.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Regina Pats organization,” said Bell. “I’d like to thank the Semple family for this opportunity and Dale for believing in my coaching and development philosophy and vision. The Regina Pats are one of the premier franchises in junior hockey, with a proud tradition of developing players and competing for championships.

“Our responsibility is to help every player become the best version of themselves, both on and off the ice, while building a team that our fans and community can be proud of every night. We want to create an environment where players are challenged, supported and inspired to reach their full potential. If we commit to that process every day, we’ll give ourselves the opportunity to compete for championships and ultimately bring another championship back to the Queen City.”

As a player, Bell suited up as a defenceman with the Ottawa 67’s from 1994-98, serving as team captain during his final two seasons. In Ottawa, Bell played for Brian Kilrea, the winningest coach in CHL history. Following his junior career, he signed with the San Jose Sharks organization and played professionally in the American Hockey League and ECHL from 1998-2004. Bell captained the Greenville Grrrowl to the 2002 Kelly Cup Championship before transitioning into coaching shortly after his playing career concluded.

Bell becomes the 44th head coach in the storied history of the Regina Pats and will immediately begin preparations for the 2026-27 Western Hockey League season.

He assumes the role at an exciting time for the franchise as Brandt Sports & Entertainment continues its long-term investment in the Regina Pats, with a vision centered on developing elite players, providing a first-class player experience, and building a team capable of competing for WHL championships year after year.

(Dante DeCaria/ReginaPats.com)