Former Tri-City defenseman Shawn Belle is on the move again — this time in Europe.

The former first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues, Belle signed a tryout contract with Adler Mannheim (Germany, DEL). The contract is through Sept. 22.

Belle didn’t have any points in nine games with the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche (both NHL) and six goals and 20 assists in 51 games with the Oklahoma City Barons and Lake Erie Monsters (both AHL) last season.

Belle spent four seasons with the Americans (2001-05), and played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship, winning gold in 2005 and silver in 2004.

But for all of his talent, he's never been able to stay in one place very long after he left the Americans.

He played for five different AHL teams, including a couple of stints with the Houston Aeros and back-to-back seasons with the Hamilton Bulldogs (2008-10). He's played just 20 NHL games during his career.

He's durable, playing a ton of games and minutes every season, and chips in a decent amount of points for a defenseman. But the word on the street is that he isn't very coachable.

Who's to know?

I remember him as a smooth skater with a wicked shot from the point and a smile for everyone he met.

He and Clayton Stoner (Minnesota Wild) were the cornerstone of what has become a solid blue line year after year in Tri-City. Logan Stephenson, Matt Swaby, TJ Fast, Jarrett Toll and Tyler Schmidt carried on the tradition that now has been handed down to Zach Yuen.