Bell’s commitment rings true
BRAMPTON, Ont. – Zach Bell jumped at the opportunity to lead his Brampton Battalion teammates in their participation in the Boys and Girls Clubs of Peel Region’s Breakfast for Kids program, which started Tuesday when Bell and Barclay Goodrow traveled to Bolton’s Allen Drive public elementary school.
“I wanted to get involved because I didn’t have either of my parents to look up to,” said defenceman Bell, 18. “Hopefully I can give these kids something to look forward to.
“When I was younger, I did the same kind of thing. I was one of those less fortunate kids who had to eat at that kind of thing, so right away I jumped on.”
The Battalion launched its association with Breakfast for Kids on Sunday when organizers of the program were introduced as part of ceremonies before the Troops downed the visiting Guelph Storm 3-1 in Ontario Hockey League action.
Brampton resident Bell, said having the ability to share his childhood experiences with the children is a great way to connect with them.
“Those kids probably have some of the same upbringings I did.”
Said Bell: “The biggest thing is being able to relate to the kids, and I think, if I can relate to them and help them out, that’s half the battle. I tried to go to counselling when I was younger but I couldn’t do it because I didn’t feel like they could connect to me because they haven’t been in my situation.”
Bell, a native of St. John’s, Nfld., said he’s willing to do whatever it takes to provide the children with the happiness they deserve.
“I’m going to treat everyone like I wanted to be treated, happy-go-lucky, cracking jokes and making them smile. If anybody wants me to talk to them, any time of the day, if they want to come to a game, I want to do everything I can to make those kids happy.
“I know that, if a guy who played for the Battalion was there when I young, it would have been really cool for me because I played hockey.”
His enjoyment in working with youngsters emerged last summer, when he served as an instructor at a Brampton hockey school.
“I was running day camps, doing power skating, I was doing it all,” noted Bell. “Just working with kids, you can get a laugh out of anything. They’re just so blatantly honest I love it.”
That background has influenced his decision to pursue a profession in child and youth work after his hockey career.
A fourth-round pick of the Battalion in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection, Bell said hockey has played an important role in his life, especially during his childhood. The rink was the one place where he could escape reality and feel normal.
“My stepdad and my biological father both played pro, so I was kind of rushed into hockey growing up.”
Said Bell: “It was always my escape kind of thing. I’ve always had a place to go to the rink where I could be every other kid instead of being that less fortunate kid. Going to the rink, I always loved the guys in the locker room, and it’s always been the thing I look forward to the most. I still love it today.”
Bell’s stepfather, Phil Miaskowski, who came into Bell’s life when he was three, played in the East Coast Hockey League, Central Hockey League and the Colonial Hockey League, which later became the United Hockey League.
Bell, in his third season with the Troops, stressed the importance for children to find a hobby and get involved within the community to help them cope with difficult situations. He hopes passing on the experiences he had as a child will help make a difference in the lives of others.
“I want to tell them how I did it, what to do and to just join a club or do something to get away from it all. You just have to get your mind off things and realize there is greener grass on the other side. It’s going to be there and things will turn up.”
Although Bell admitted life wasn’t easy growing up, he said that remaining optimistic throughout his childhood helped make him the person he is today.
“It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure, but here I am living with my aunt and uncle, and things just can’t be better. I graduated high school, I did well with the cards I was dealt and I’m doing fantastic now.”
