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HAF
07-29-2005, 06:01 AM
Belle Signs with the Dallas Stars
July 28, 2005
Kennewick, WA – The Tri-City Americans are proud to announce the signing of 20-year-old defenseman Shawn Belle to a multi-year contract with the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. The terms of the contract were not disclosed by the Stars. Belle, a four-year veteran of the Americans, was selected in the first round (No. 30 overall) of the 2003 Entry Draft by St. Louis, and was acquired by Dallas in 2004.

Belle appeared in 62 games last season for the Americans, amassing 13 goals, 45 points and 76 penalty minutes. In 249 WHL games, Belle notched 30 goals and 84 assists for 114 points with 272 penalty minutes. A native of Edmonton, Belle won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2005 World Junior Championships and a silver medal at the 2004 World Juniors. The 6-2, 224-lb. defenseman collected gold medals with Team Canada at the 2003 World Under-18 Championships and the 2002 Eight Nations Cup in Slovakia, where he was named top defenseman. Belle also won the Bobby Orr Fastest Skater Award at the 2003 Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Skills Competition.

“It’s a big weight lifted off my shoulders,” said Belle. “They are a top notch organization. The organization is committed to winning and I am very proud to be part of the Stars.”

“We are extremely excited for Shawn. This is a day that all WHL players dream of,” said Americans vice president/general manager Bob Tory. “We fully expect to see Shawn in a Stars uniform this season along with former Americans alum and current Americans owner Stu Barnes.”