Lethbridge Herald

Giants captain thriving after return to WHL action

- Monte Stewart

Tyler Benson does not have much trouble producing points, but staying healthy is a different story.

The Vancouver Giants captain is getting his game back on track after missing most of the past two Western Hockey League seasons due to health woes. So far, so good. In his past four games, Benson has recorded two goals and six assists, averaging two points per outing. He now has 12 points in eight games played, but offensive production is not his priority right now.

“I just want to get back to my game,” said Benson, a 19-yearold Edmonton native. “It’s been a while since I’ve played, so I just want to be able to play a full season this year and just help my team be a playoff hockey team. That’s what’s most important this year.”

Benson missed training camp, the pre-season and early regular season after undergoing two sports hernia surgeries, in April and July, respective­ly.

“I had the first one (operation) on the left side and I came back and started skating again, and the right side just felt off, so I needed (surgery) done on the right side as well,” said Benson

The second procedure was completed after Benson, chosen in the second round (32nd overall) by the Oilers in 2016, attended an Edmonton prospects camp. During the past two years, he has undergone surgery to remove a cyst on his spine and dealt with pubic-bone, shoulder and additional groin problems that limited him to 33 games last season and 30 in 2015-16.

Benson was still named to the WHL team’s roster for the recent Canada-Russia series, but opted not to play in the high-calibre internatio­nal competitio­n.

“It was a lot of hockey in a short amount of time and I, maybe, just wasn’t ready for that much of a faster pace,” said Benson.

But he still hopes to get an invitation to try out for Canada’s world junior team.

“(Playing in the world junior tournament) is something I’ve wanted for a long time, so if I get the opportunit­y, it’ll be good,” he said.

Benson, who signed a threeyear entry-level contract with the Oilers last December, also hopes to join Connor McDavid and company in Edmonton’s lineup within the next two years.

“It’d be a dream come true,” said Benson. “I grew up watching the Oilers. It’s a team I’ve always watched. Seeing the talent they have now, it’d be special to be out there with them.”

The immediate goal, though, is to help the Giants reach the post-season for the first time in four seasons. Heading into Friday’s road contest against the Kamloops Blazers, the Giants (98-4) have posted three straight wins and solidified their grip on third place in the B.C. Division.

“We’re a better team with Tyler Benson, no doubt, so we definitely are happy to have him back,” said Giants coach Jason McKee.

The coach added Benson will still need time to back get up to full speed, but is showing signs of improvemen­t every day. Listed at five-foot-11 and 202 pounds, Benson is a “heavy body” who plays in all situations and makes the Giants “harder to play against.”

“He’s got tremendous vision, tremendous instincts,” said McKee. “He’s a player that we’d like to see use his shot a little bit more, but you can see him even trying to do that a little bit more this year than in the past.”

Benson also wants to improve his skating and is working hard on staying healthy under the guidance of Giants strength and conditioni­ng coach Aaron Klatt.

“(Benson) has got a program that he’s on now that he has to look after for himself as well,” said McKee. “He’s got bits in place to help him with that, and it’s his responsibi­lity to make sure that he’s keeping up with it on a day-to-day basis. He’s done a good job of that. You can see that he’s aware of the things that he needs to be doing.”

About two weeks ago, McKee said, Benson was among several players who came down with the flu and colds. But he battled through sickness in a game, also against Kamloops, and has displayed no ill effects since.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada