NEW YORK, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell, who last month pleaded guilty to charges including drunken driving, was indefinitely suspended without pay by the NHL.
The action taken by the league Tuesday also placed Bell in the league's substance-abuse program. He will be suspended until the league, the NHL players' union and substance-abuse program physicians all give their approval. It is unclear whether he would be available to Toronto this season.
Bell, 27, pleaded no contest in August to hit-and-run and drunken driving charges stemming from an incident in California in September 2006. He was sentenced to six months on jail, which authorities said he could serve after next season.
The Maple Leafs acquired Bell on draft day in a trade that sent three draft picks to the San Jose Sharks for Bell and goaltender Vesa Toskala.
Bell has 83 goals and 89 assists in 410 NHL games for the Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks. He had 11 goals and 10 assists over 71 games last season.
