Recruiting: Evan Bell commits to Merrimack

By @MichaelCaples –

When Evan Bell wraps up his USHL career, he’ll be heading from Fargo, N.D. to North Andover, Mass.

The Livonia native has committed to Merrimack College, continuing his hockey career at the NCAA level after he’s done with juniors.

“It’s a great honor to have the opportunity to play Division 1 hockey, especially at Merrimack College,” Bell told MiHockey.

Bell, a Little Caesars product, is in the midst of his second season with the Fargo Force of the USHL. He has posted one goal and two assists in 11 games so far this season.

In 2014-15, he played in 59 games with the NAHL’s Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees before making the jump to the USHL for the 2015-16 campaign.

Bell has played a significant role in the Force leading the USHL in penalty-kill percentage during the 2016-17 season; Fargo ranks No. 1 with a 95.2 percent success rate.

He said that his official visit to the Massachusetts-based program was what convinced him to choose Merrimack for his college hockey experience.

“When I went on my official visit, I just felt like I was at home and could see myself spending my next four years there, playing hockey and also getting a great education,” Bell said.

“I would like to say thank to all the coaches and teammates that have supported me along the way.”