NEW YORK, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- The National Hockey League has suspended Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell for 15 regular-season games without pay.
Bell, 27, had already been placed in the league's substance abuse program following his no-contest plea to hit-and-run and drunken driving charges last September. He is to serve six months in jail after the 2007-08 NHL season ends.
The incident occurred while Bell was a member of the San Jose Sharks. He has since been traded to Toronto but his entire season is in doubt.
He won't be allowed to play until cleared by NHL substance abuse program physicians, the league and the NHL players' union. His suspension, announced by the league Wednesday, wouldn't begin until he has been cleared from the substance abuse program.
Bell has 83 goals and 89 assists in 410 career games with the Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks. He finished with 11 goals and 10 assists in 71 games for San Jose last season.
