From: Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Saturday, February 3, 2007
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Press release courtesy of Minnesota Wild

MINNESOTA WILD RECALLS DEFENSEMAN SHAWN BELLE

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has recalled D Shawn Belle from the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Houston Aeros, the Wild’s primary development affiliate.

Belle, 22 (1/3/85), has notched 14 points (4-10=14) including three power play goals and 38 penalty minutes in 36 games with Houston this season. This marks the third time he has been recalled by the Wild this season. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound defenseman made his NHL debut Dec. 1 against Detroit and tallied his first NHL point the following night with an assist at Dallas on Dec. 2. Belle has notched one assist and a +4 rating in eight games with Minnesota this season averaging 9:51 in ice time.

He was acquired by the Wild in a trade with Dallas, along with Martin Skoula, in exchange for Willie Mitchell and a second round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft on March 9, 2006. The St. Louis Blues originally selected the Edmonton, Alberta-native in the first round (30th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Belle will wear sweater No. 4 with Minnesota.

---HOUSTON AEROS---