Jamie Benn has quietly moved himself into the conversation when asking “who are the best forwards in the NHL?” The twenty four year old forward for the Dallas Stars has continually improved his game since entering the league in 2009. Benn was drafted in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft as the 129th overall pick. This is fairly low for a now budding superstar. His low draft pick is reflective of how he has always been treated as a hockey player. Under rated and often forgotten. Growing up in Victoria, British Columbia he was forced to play the 2005-2006 season in the VIJHL. This is a Canadian Junior “B’ League. He suited up for the Peninsula Panthers. Not your common path to the National Hockey League. From there he excelled and moved on to play for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League. While playing for this Canadian Junior “A” team he impressed the Dallas Stars organization enough to select him in that years draft.
He is a quiet player, that lets his play do the talking. His rookie season in 2009-2010 was very good. He played 82 games and netted 22 goals and 19 assists for a total of 41 points. His points have continued to grow each year, with a career high being 63 points. This season he is scoring points at a torrid pace. At the almost halfway point of 40 games, Benn has 14 goals, 22 assists and 36 points. That is a 74 point season pace, and would result in his best season. His excellent play this season has put his name into heavy consideration for the Team Canada Olympic roster.
The Dallas Stars staff is very happy with their newest team captains play. In a previous interview Stars general manager Jim Nill had very positive remarks about Benn as a player and person. “In a very short period of time, Jamie Benn has gone from being an exciting up-and-coming player in the NHL, to being a cornerstone of the franchise,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a statement. “He has steadily grown as a player and as a person. He conducts himself each and every day in a professional way and continually leads by example. We fully believe that he will be a driving force in getting this team to the next level – and now he’s our captain.”
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Benn looks to continue to improve his skills, and get the recognition around the league that he deserves. His 6’2” inch frame allows him to have a strong forward presence. He is very versitaile and can play all three forward positions. He has a great scoring touch and leads by example on the ice. Look for Jamie Benn to continue to push to be one of the top power forwards in the NHL.
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.