Benn says he’s in hockey heaven
New defenceman eager to get going with Canadiens
The Canadiens aren’t wasting any time putting newly acquired defenceman Jordie Benn to work.
Benn met with the Montreal media Tuesday — “I’ve never seen so many cameras before” — and confirmed that he would be in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Benn was acquired from the Dallas Stars Monday in return for defenceman Greg Pateryn and a fourth-round draft choice.
Benn said he was at home with his younger brother Jamie when the phones started ringing.
“I was shocked,” Benn said. “It’s the first time I’ve been traded. I asked where I was going and they said Montreal and I couldn’t have been happier. This is hockey heaven.”
Benn said it was great playing with his better-known brother in Dallas, but said he was ready to move on.
“We’re not kids anymore,” Benn said.
“We understand it’s a business. It’s a game we love and we love to play the game, but on the business it is what it is. He’s doing great things there and it’s time for me to move on and do my thing.”
His thing involves being a stayat-home defenceman. “I’m not supposed to put the puck in the net, but if I can contribute offensively, that’s great,” Benn said.
“I’m supposed to keep the puck out of the net and help the forwards and get them the puck. As long as I can move my feet and get them the puck with a good first pass, I’ll be good.”
Benn shoots left, but he said he can play either side.
“He’s a shot-blocker, he’s a hardnosed defenceman, he moves the puck fairly well,” Claude Julien said after Montreal’s 4-3 overtime win Monday in New Jersey.
“I had an opportunity to chat with (Dallas coach Lindy Ruff) there quickly and he really liked him. In his estimation, he surpassed his expectations and he really thought a lot about Jordie. So we’re looking forward to seeing him.”
Benn said he has no connection with any of the Canadiens players, but noted his brother played with Shea Weber and Carey Price with Team Canada.
Weber welcomed him Tuesday and took him on a tour of the practice facility in Brossard.
In Benn, the Canadiens are getting a 6-foot-2, 200-pounder with two goals, 13 assists and 24 penalty minutes in 58 games this season with the Stars, and is a minus-3.