The Regina Pats spent weeks searching for their next head coach. When the process ended, general manager Dale Derkatch said the answer became clear.
On Monday morning, the Pats officially introduced David Bell as the 44th head coach in franchise history, bringing in a veteran bench boss with more than two decades of coaching experience and a resume built around developing players and building culture.
Bell arrives in Regina after seven seasons with the AHL’s Belleville Senators organization, including parts of three seasons as head coach. During his time in Belleville, Bell helped guide and develop players who eventually reached the NHL, including Drake Batherson, Josh Norris, Ridly Greig and Zack Ostapchuk. But for Derkatch, the decision extended far beyond wins and losses.
“We had some conversations on the phone, and we had some Teams calls, and then we finally met in person,” Derkatch said. “The things that stood out for me with Dave were things like his passion for the game, his caring, his preparation and structure. He’s a good communicator, teacher.”
Derkatch said the conversations quickly moved beyond systems and tactics.
“We talked philosophy on how to build a team, and we were aligned. It seemed like we’d known each other a long time.”
That alignment centred around accountability, communication and perhaps most importantly, development.
Derkatch repeatedly returned to Bell’s ability to help players maximize their potential and to make them active participants in the process.
“What I really liked about Dave was the idea around development, not only the coaches taking over that stuff, but having the players be part of it, having the players take ownership of their own development.”
The endorsement that ultimately stuck with Derkatch didn’t come from executives or fellow coaches. He reached out to former players.
“One player, who’s from Saskatchewan and played in the Western League and a little bit in the NHL and American League and is now over in Europe, said Dave was the best coach he’s had,” Derkatch explained. “For a player that’s been through the whole coaching gamut, that was enough for me.”
Bell admitted the attraction to Regina started before he ever stepped into the room. As he researched the opportunity, one message kept surfacing.
“The first thing anybody said to me was, ‘What a group it is, what a direction they’re heading, what a great spot it’s going to be.’”
Bell said the more conversations he had, the easier the decision became.
“The passion that Dale had when we talked, the pride in the community that he has, obviously living here and having his name in the rafters, it’s something to be proud of.”
Bell also pointed to ownership’s commitment to investing in the franchise and creating an environment built for sustained success. After meeting with ownership and hearing the long-term vision, he felt the opportunity aligned perfectly with where he is in his career.
“It was a really easy choice for me to pick to come here, a great franchise, a franchise going in a really good direction, with really good people running it.”
Bell also made it clear he intends to become part of Regina beyond the rink.
“Anywhere I’ve been as a coach, I live there 12 months a year, become part of the community with my family and be proud of the product we put on the ice.”
One of the strongest themes throughout Bell’s introductory availability was that hockey will come later. People come first. Before talking forechecks, breakouts or defensive coverage, Bell wants to understand the players themselves.
“I need to catch up with every player, learn them as a person before I learn them as a hockey player.”
Bell outlined what that process looks like.
“How they tick, where they struggle, what motivates them, what their fears are.”
He added that his first conversations with players won’t focus on tactics.
“There probably won’t be the word forecheck or D-zone coverage in it.”
Bell believes that understanding personalities allows coaches to challenge players better and accelerate development.
“The more you get to know the player, how he ticks, how you can motivate him, how he takes criticism, how he takes praise.”
That philosophy mirrors the approach he took in professional hockey as he helped prospects transition into the NHL. Bell said junior hockey requires more intentional teaching.
“In pro, you can say, ‘Do the right thing.’ In junior, you probably have to teach them how to do the right thing.”
That means helping players with everything from preparation and nutrition to learning how to live independently. His development plan extends well beyond hockey.
“We put everything in place in front of the family, get him his degree, get him to gain 10 pounds, get him a better shot, get him to learn how to open his bank account on his own.”
The timing of Bell’s arrival also comes with expectations. The Pats remain one of the youngest teams in the WHL but possess a core many around hockey believe is ready to take a step. Bell acknowledged that names like Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue came up repeatedly during his research.
“Super appealing to have an opportunity to help those guys.”
But he quickly shifted attention to the broader roster.
“There’s a real good core here of players that can build around those guys and support those guys.”
Bell believes the organization is positioned to climb and isn’t shy about navigating the changing culture of hockey, with more input from parents, agents, and players in organizations.
“They’re in a really good spot. I think they’re young, but I think you can win as a young group.”
He also pointed to changes in CHL dynamics, including player movement and evolving NCAA opportunities, saying teams can no longer assume championship windows are exclusive to veteran groups.
“I think they’re ready to take a big step and, as a group in the standings, I think they’re ready to pop.”
What will a David Bell team look like? Bell didn’t hesitate.
“Aggressive. Hard. Hard to play against.”
His teams will demand effort and accountability but still leave room for creativity.
“The number one rule is they have to compete, and they have to be team first. Those are non-negotiables.”
Bell wants players to attack with confidence.
“Use your skills. Use your instincts. Use your abilities.”
But freedom comes with responsibility.
“The only thing I ask is if you lose that puck, that you be the hardest-working guy of the 10 guys on the ice to get that puck back.”
For a Regina Pats organization trying to build toward consistent contention again, Bell’s message was clear. Development and winning aren’t separate goals. They go together. And now, Bell’s work begins.
