Sam Bennett will turn 18 one week before the 2014 NHL entry draft. His belated birthday present to himself will be hearing his name called early in the draft, most likely within the top five picks. Bennett told me is 6’1″ and 180 pounds, and that he plans to add between 5-10 pounds this summer before he heads to an NHL camp.
I spoke with Bennett yesterday and we discussed his feisty, two-way game, Aaron Ekblad and why he feels more comfortable playing centre rather than on the wing.
Bennett is very determined to be an NHL player, and whichever team drafts him, they will be getting an extremely competitive player.
Gregor: How would you describe your game?
Bennett: A two-way forward who isn’t afraid
to lay the body and get involved in the chippy stuff as well as being able to
create some offense and put the puck in the net.
to lay the body and get involved in the chippy stuff as well as being able to
create some offense and put the puck in the net.
Gregor: Your general manager is Doug Gilmour and a
lot of people say ‘this guy is kind of like Doug Gilmour’ and for a current
NHLer some suggest Jonathan Toews. Do you see a comparison at all?
lot of people say ‘this guy is kind of like Doug Gilmour’ and for a current
NHLer some suggest Jonathan Toews. Do you see a comparison at all?
Bennett: Ah, yeah, well I don’t know if I
can say a comparison, but I can definitely say that I try to model my game off
of them. They’re definitely unbelievable players, and they’re definitely guys
that I’ve looked up to in the past. If people are comparing me to those guys,
that’s definitely really special.
can say a comparison, but I can definitely say that I try to model my game off
of them. They’re definitely unbelievable players, and they’re definitely guys
that I’ve looked up to in the past. If people are comparing me to those guys,
that’s definitely really special.
FEISTY…
Gregor: Has Doug talked to you about your game
because he was a pretty ferocious player who was highly competitive. He wasn’t
the biggest guy on the ice, but he battled really hard. Have you had those
conversations with him?
because he was a pretty ferocious player who was highly competitive. He wasn’t
the biggest guy on the ice, but he battled really hard. Have you had those
conversations with him?
Bennett: We haven’t talked too much about
my style of play but he’s definitely, he’s definitely been there for me. If I
needed advice on something or if I need help with anything I could just go to
him and talk to him and he has so much experience and when he gives advice it
definitely helps a lot.
my style of play but he’s definitely, he’s definitely been there for me. If I
needed advice on something or if I need help with anything I could just go to
him and talk to him and he has so much experience and when he gives advice it
definitely helps a lot.
Gregor: I saw you throw down in a really spirited
scrap as a 17 year old in junior, something not many skilled guys are willing
to do. Where does that feistiness come from, have you always had that in your
game?
scrap as a 17 year old in junior, something not many skilled guys are willing
to do. Where does that feistiness come from, have you always had that in your
game?
Bennett: Yeah, ever since I was growing up,
I always used to play with the physical edge and always loved to initiate and I
never back away from anything. I think that that’s just something that I had my
whole life and I’m going to continue to do it.
I always used to play with the physical edge and always loved to initiate and I
never back away from anything. I think that that’s just something that I had my
whole life and I’m going to continue to do it.
Gregor: Do teams try to take advantage of that? Do
you find that they try to goad you into things?
you find that they try to goad you into things?
Bennett: Ah, yeah. I did a few times. I do
have a tendency to get a little bit too excited and, sometimes I lose my composure and I guess teams will try to get under my skin a little bit. But
that’s going to happen, and I just have to know when to initiate and when to
settle down and do what’s best for my team.
have a tendency to get a little bit too excited and, sometimes I lose my composure and I guess teams will try to get under my skin a little bit. But
that’s going to happen, and I just have to know when to initiate and when to
settle down and do what’s best for my team.
Gregor: It’s a fine line isn’t it Sam; you want to be
a guy that plays with an edge, and if you play that way every now and then you’re
likely going to cross that line.
a guy that plays with an edge, and if you play that way every now and then you’re
likely going to cross that line.
Bennett: Yeah, for sure. Definitely Todd
Gills has been working with me on that this year and there is definitely a
really fine line between playing with an edge and crossing the line.
Gills has been working with me on that this year and there is definitely a
really fine line between playing with an edge and crossing the line.
Gregor: What is your workout schedule like between
now and the draft?
now and the draft?
Bennett: I’m still resting right now. I’m
going to start up with my trainer Andy O’Brien sometime next week and just go
to work five times a week as hard as I can and try to get ready for the Combine
at the end May and get ready for next season.
going to start up with my trainer Andy O’Brien sometime next week and just go
to work five times a week as hard as I can and try to get ready for the Combine
at the end May and get ready for next season.
Gregor: So you’re working out five times a day and
you’re still finishing up High School?
you’re still finishing up High School?
Bennett: I’m still finishing up High School
so it is pretty hectic right now, but once I’m done that it’s a little easier
in the summer.
so it is pretty hectic right now, but once I’m done that it’s a little easier
in the summer.
Gregor: You got any classes you enjoy in High School?
What’s your favourite?
What’s your favourite?
Bennett: Ah…. Probably gym class. [Laughs]
For most hockey players that’s their favourite class.
For most hockey players that’s their favourite class.
Gregor: Do you have a tutor in Kingston?
Bennett: I didn’t have one in Kingston, no, but there
was definitely one available if I needed one. but we had great support on the
ice as well as off of the ice. Education, development and we had a bunch of
people supporting us in any aspects of our life really
was definitely one available if I needed one. but we had great support on the
ice as well as off of the ice. Education, development and we had a bunch of
people supporting us in any aspects of our life really
Gregor: You’re a 17 year old player leading his team
in scoring; there is a lot of pressure and a lot of responsibility. Are you a
guy that’s a leader naturally?
in scoring; there is a lot of pressure and a lot of responsibility. Are you a
guy that’s a leader naturally?
Bennett: Yeah, I’d like to think so. I
guess I’m not one of the older guys on the team, but still I always try to lead
by example more than anything on the ice as well as off of the ice. So, that’s
actually something that I’ve always played with and I always try to be as much
of a leader as I can.
guess I’m not one of the older guys on the team, but still I always try to lead
by example more than anything on the ice as well as off of the ice. So, that’s
actually something that I’ve always played with and I always try to be as much
of a leader as I can.
Gregor: Who was your biggest personal rival in the Ontario Hockey League
this year?
this year?
Bennett: Ah… I’d say Scott Laughton from
the Oshawa Generals. We had one pretty good scrap this year and every time
we’ve played it’s been pretty frisky that’s for sure.
the Oshawa Generals. We had one pretty good scrap this year and every time
we’ve played it’s been pretty frisky that’s for sure.
Gregor: Are you better when you’re emotionally
involved in a game?
involved in a game?
Bennett: Yeah, I think so. I say that there
is a line again, if I get too emotionally involved it will throw me off of my
game, but if I’m in the game and I’m hitting and I’m getting in the dirty areas
that’s definitely when I’m playing my best.
is a line again, if I get too emotionally involved it will throw me off of my
game, but if I’m in the game and I’m hitting and I’m getting in the dirty areas
that’s definitely when I’m playing my best.
Gregor: What do you want to improve this off season
as far as your physical attributes? Is there one area that you want to focus on
that will make you better on the ice?
as far as your physical attributes? Is there one area that you want to focus on
that will make you better on the ice?
Bennett: Well definitely I need to get a
little bit bigger, a little bit stronger in every aspect but I’d say that one
thing that I would be looking to improve is definitely leg strength. That will
allow me to be able to battle in the corners and hold my balance. You never
know where I will be playing next year, there could be a lot bigger guys so
I’ll definitely have to be prepared for anything.
little bit bigger, a little bit stronger in every aspect but I’d say that one
thing that I would be looking to improve is definitely leg strength. That will
allow me to be able to battle in the corners and hold my balance. You never
know where I will be playing next year, there could be a lot bigger guys so
I’ll definitely have to be prepared for anything.
Gregor: What do you do away from hockey so you’re not
hockey all of the time, what are some of your hobbies?
hockey all of the time, what are some of your hobbies?
Bennett: Well, in the summer I have a
cottage up in Haliburton [Ontario]
and I like to get up there and water ski and go fishing and I love all of that
stuff, so I definitely try to get up there a few times each summer and just get
away from it for a while.
cottage up in Haliburton [Ontario]
and I like to get up there and water ski and go fishing and I love all of that
stuff, so I definitely try to get up there a few times each summer and just get
away from it for a while.
Gregor: What’s the biggest fish you ever caught?
Bennett: Ah… probably 10 pounds.
Gregor: Ok, not bad.
Bennett: I’m not ot a pro fisher.
Gregor:
No, but you’re young man. You’ve got a lot of time. Tell me about Todd Gill as
a head coach, what made him good?
No, but you’re young man. You’ve got a lot of time. Tell me about Todd Gill as
a head coach, what made him good?
Bennett: He’s got the experience. He played
many years in the NHL so he was a great, great coach and he knew when to be
hard on you and when to let off a little. So he definitely was always there to
give good advice and he was a great coach for us.
many years in the NHL so he was a great, great coach and he knew when to be
hard on you and when to let off a little. So he definitely was always there to
give good advice and he was a great coach for us.
TWO-WAY PLAYER
Gregor: You described yourself as a two-way player,
not many young offensive players are concerned with being good defensive
players. Where did that willingness to want to be a great two-way player come
from?
not many young offensive players are concerned with being good defensive
players. Where did that willingness to want to be a great two-way player come
from?
Bennett: Well, again, always growing up I
wasn’t all offense. I was always looking after the defensive zone as well. So
to play in the NHL, which is obviously the ultimate goal, you can’t just be one
dimensional, you’ve got to be able to play the full 200 foot game, so that’s
definitely part of the game that I’ve always been working on.
wasn’t all offense. I was always looking after the defensive zone as well. So
to play in the NHL, which is obviously the ultimate goal, you can’t just be one
dimensional, you’ve got to be able to play the full 200 foot game, so that’s
definitely part of the game that I’ve always been working on.
Gregor: What is the hardest part about playing
defence?
defence?
Bennett: I’d say when you’re trapped in
your own end for a little and the other team has the cycle going and you’re
bagged from being in the offensive zone, and now you’ve got to come in and work
as hard as you can in the defensive zone. That’s definitely when it gets a
little tough.
your own end for a little and the other team has the cycle going and you’re
bagged from being in the offensive zone, and now you’ve got to come in and work
as hard as you can in the defensive zone. That’s definitely when it gets a
little tough.
Gregor: Do you feel you’re more of a shooter or a
play maker?
play maker?
Bennett: Ah, I’d like to think that I’m
more of a play maker, but I’m also not afraid to shoot the puck as well.
more of a play maker, but I’m also not afraid to shoot the puck as well.
Gregor: Did you play the point in the power point at
all in Kingston?
all in Kingston?
Bennett: I tried it for a while, but it
didn’t really work out too well, so we went back to just leaving me on the half
wall.
didn’t really work out too well, so we went back to just leaving me on the half
wall.
Gregor: What was it that didn’t work out?
Bennett: I don’t know. Maybe it was just
that I wasn’t as comfortable there as I am on the half wall. I’ve never really
played that part of the game, so it was a little different for me being up
there, but Todd Gill and the other part of our coaching staff definitely helped
to figure out what worked best for our team.
that I wasn’t as comfortable there as I am on the half wall. I’ve never really
played that part of the game, so it was a little different for me being up
there, but Todd Gill and the other part of our coaching staff definitely helped
to figure out what worked best for our team.
Gregor: How do you look at the overall, long term
success of your career, do you think that the NHL is the best step for you at
this point?
success of your career, do you think that the NHL is the best step for you at
this point?
Bennett: Ah, well.. Obviously it is going
to be this goal my summer to work as hard as I can to be able to make that team
in September, but you know… whatever happens, whatever the NHL team decides to
do is going to be fine with me. If they decide to send me back to Junior, I’m
going to work as hard as I can to get ready for the next step to be able to
move up.
to be this goal my summer to work as hard as I can to be able to make that team
in September, but you know… whatever happens, whatever the NHL team decides to
do is going to be fine with me. If they decide to send me back to Junior, I’m
going to work as hard as I can to get ready for the next step to be able to
move up.
Gregor: Do you find yourself looking at the draft
order and doing a mock draft thinking ‘hey I think that this team might take
this guy, I think that this team might take this guy and they might take me?
order and doing a mock draft thinking ‘hey I think that this team might take
this guy, I think that this team might take this guy and they might take me?
Bennett: Yeah, I have done that a little
bit maybe. I say when the draft lottery came out and we knew for sure who was
picking where, you definitely start to think about who is going to take who and
it goes through your head a little bit.
bit maybe. I say when the draft lottery came out and we knew for sure who was
picking where, you definitely start to think about who is going to take who and
it goes through your head a little bit.
Gregor: Did you ever see yourself being taken by the Edmonton Oilers?
Bennett: [Laughs] You never know, it could
happen.
happen.
Gregor: You’ve played about Ekblad give me your
scouting report, what’s the best part of Ekblad’s game?
scouting report, what’s the best part of Ekblad’s game?
Bennett: He’s a great player. I’ve played
with him for a while now and he’s unbelievably strong and he’s
definitely got one of the hardest shots that I’ve ever seen. When he has it on
the point, you’ve got to get in the shooting lanes, or it’s probably going to
end up in the back of the net for sure.
with him for a while now and he’s unbelievably strong and he’s
definitely got one of the hardest shots that I’ve ever seen. When he has it on
the point, you’ve got to get in the shooting lanes, or it’s probably going to
end up in the back of the net for sure.
Gregor: Have you played only centre, or do you switch
between centre and wing this year?
between centre and wing this year?
Bennett: Not this year. I did it a little
bit before, but I’d say I’ve mostly played centre this year. I am comfortable
on the wing, it’s just wherever the coach wants me to play, and that’s where
I’ll play.
bit before, but I’d say I’ve mostly played centre this year. I am comfortable
on the wing, it’s just wherever the coach wants me to play, and that’s where
I’ll play.
Gregor: What do you like better about centre than the
wing?
wing?
Bennett: I’d say you get more ice, you get
more room, you’re not trapped up along the sideboards and you definitely can
generate more speed up the middle.
more room, you’re not trapped up along the sideboards and you definitely can
generate more speed up the middle.
WRAP UP….
Bennett is an offensive player who takes pride in his defensive play, which is rare for most 17 year olds. Everyone loves his competitiveness and drive. He wants the puck and he isn’t afraid to go into the tough areas with it. I love the fact that he has skill, but also plays with some passion, and admits that at times his fire gets the best of him. He’ll work on it, but I’d rather have a player you need to calm down than one you need to constantly prod to get inspired.
The one concern about Bennett is his size. Ross Maclean, head scout for ISS hockey said, “The one concern with Bennett is his frame. Winning space at the next level is very difficult.”
A concern doesn’t mean it is a red flag. Every player has some concerns about their game, but most scouts feel Bennett’s internal fire and drive will make him a successful NHL player.
KARAOKE KING/QUEEN
Our 2nd annual King/Queen of Karaoke goes on Friday May 23rd.
If you think you can sing, or know someone who can get them to email a short 30 second-1 minute video audition tape to gregor@tsn1260.ca before May 15th. We will pick the top-12 videos, and they along with a few guest celebrity Karaokiers will battle it out on May 23rd.
This year’s winner will win $1,000.
Last year was a great night and the performances were top notch, and the odd one was a tad off key, Struds, but it was a great night.
Tickets are $30/each with 100% of the proceeds going to the MS Bike Tour, and
with your $30 ticket you get a free drink at the door and $45 in gift certificates from On The
Rocks and Oodle Noodle. So you make money by supporting the cause. You can buy your tickets here.
with your $30 ticket you get a free drink at the door and $45 in gift certificates from On The
Rocks and Oodle Noodle. So you make money by supporting the cause. You can buy your tickets here.
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