Bell on lacrosse journey: 'Chase your dreams and have fun'

Apr 11, 2023

Sarah Griffin I Halifax Thunderbirds

Everyone’s journey is different; whether it be in lacrosse or life, every decision you make brings you to this moment.

For Tyson Bell, his journey to the NLL didn’t begin with a stick in his hand from the moment he could walk. In fact, he didn’t begin playing lacrosse until he was 13 years old. For Bell, his childhood centred around hockey and baseball. 

“I definitely started later than most guys playing lacrosse. At the time, I was really heavy into hockey and baseball and lacrosse wasn’t really in the talks yet,” said Bell. “Every hockey player growing up had dreams of playing in the NHL, and that’s where my hopes were for my whole life until I was introduced to lacrosse.”

It wasn’t until Billy Dee Smith and Mark Steenhius - Bell’s cousins who were already ingrained in the lacrosse world - suggested giving their lacrosse camp right down the road a try. Some may say it was love at first sight after that.

Bell’s natural athleticism helped him excel as a lacrosse player starting out. Surrounded by many of the same guys he played hockey with, he made his way up the ranks quickly. A St. Catharines, Ontario native, he played for the hometown Athletics A-team in both field and box and even won two championships in a row. 

It was from that point on he knew lacrosse was the path he wanted to take.

Of course, with every dream comes challenges. With an offer to play for Syracuse on the table, Bell’s grades kept him from playing NCAA Division I lacrosse. 

“I struggled with school a bit growing up and I had a full ride to Syracuse University but I couldn’t get by the NCAA Clearinghouse, which led me to the Onondaga route.”

With his passion for the sport, Bell couldn’t bring himself to redshirt at Syracuse and not play for the year. Instead, he decided to take a different route, similar to Cody Jamieson and Randy Staats and play at Onondaga Community College. It was one of those decisions that exemplifies why truly, everything happens for a reason.

“It’s something I look back on now and realize it was the right decision for me,” he remarked.

Racking up accolades on accolades at Onondaga along with two national championships, it was clear a professional playing career was more than feasible for Bell.

After two years at Onondaga, he put his name into the NLL Draft. Bell was selected by the Calgary Roughnecks with the 24th overall selection in the 2015 Entry Draft.

In his first five seasons in the NLL, Bell evolved into the type of defenseman everyone would love to have on their team. His hard-nosed style made him a player that you loved to play against and hated to match up with. Though he may be a defensive-minded player, he’s always been involved all over the floor. 

When asked how he’d describe his own game, he said it best.

“I think I’d best describe my games as ‘relentless,’” said Bell. “I like to be all over the floor and make some noise around the rink. I like to make my presence known. I want to be one of those players where my matchup knows it’s not going to be an easy way to the net.

“I’m not focused on the points and scoring goals. My focus is to be the best defender on the floor, be the best player I know I can be, and do whatever it takes to help our team win.”

With his ability, grit, and athleticism, Bell is certainly a player that Halifax is happy to have on their side now. He joined the team via trade with the Roughnecks before the 2020 Draft. He's become one of the key cogs on the back end in just his second year with the Thunderbirds. 

Operating swiftly as a defensive unit is something Bell gives much credit to the culture the Thunderbirds have built in their locker room.

“We’re a family-based team on both sides of the floor. Mike Accursi says it all the time, ‘If one goes, we all go,’ and I think that’s just the overall team mindset. Everyone has each other’s backs," Bell said. “Some of my favourite memories with this team is just being with the guys. When Friday comes around and I know I’ve got a game this weekend, it’s something I always look forward to. When everyone’s together, whether it be after a game or a team dinner the night before, we’re all hanging out. There’s no groups or cliques on this team, and I think that’s part of what makes it such a special group.”

With one NLL Championship already under his belt with the Roughnecks in 2019, the pursuit for another with the Thunderbirds continues.

“Winning a championship with Calgary is one of those feelings that stick with you and I’ll always be chasing that feeling again,” he said. “I definitely think that Halifax and this group are very capable of doing that.”  

That’s not all that’s on Bell’s mind though. As a black lacrosse player, he has aspirations for his career and the sport much larger than lifting a trophy.

“Being a black lacrosse player, I want all coloured players to know it’s not a ‘white’ sport or ‘white privilege’ sport. Every sport is for every player; whether you’re black or white, it’s for everybody. It’s all about inclusion and once more people understand that, we’ll see a lot more kids making the transition to play lacrosse.”

Bell told a particularly powerful story about an interaction he had with two young fans at the beginning of the season.

“We had a game in Toronto at the start of the year and before the game, these two little black boys came up to me. Their mother was talking to me about how her sons were getting made fun of for playing lacrosse by kids on their own team. 

“When she told me that I pulled them aside and had a conversation with them. I told them, ‘You guys aren’t the only ones who have been there.’ You look at the league and there’s a handful of black players in the NLL who are top players. I told them you just have to be in that mindset of you can do whatever you want and should never feel ashamed for it. This sport is for everybody.”

It’s moments like that that have the power to change the sport of lacrosse for the better. For those two young boys, it's the type of moment that reassures them that they belong here. 

When asked what the biggest piece of advice he’d give to young players with dreams of playing in the NLL, Bell gave a simple but important response.

“Chase your dreams and have fun. Don’t let somebody’s actions or words change what you want to do or who you are.”