Habs’ Benn recalls long road to NHL
Defenceman Jordie Benn has been a pleasant surprise for the Montreal Canadiens since being acquired from the Dallas Stars on Feb. 27 in exchange for Greg Pateryn and a fourthround pick at this year’s NHL Draft.
The fact Benn even made it to the NHL is also a surprise.
Benn never played majorjunior hockey or at the U.S. college level. Instead, the British Columbia native spent four years playing Tier 2 junior hockey in his home town of Victoria and wasn’t selected at the NHL Draft.
“I got a scholarship to (the University of) Alaska Fairbanks when I was 17,” Benn recalled. “I felt I committed too early … should have played my 18-, 19-year-old year and then committed. But it is what it is. I just decided not to go to school … didn’t really want to go to Fairbanks and live up there.
“When I was getting 19, 20, I had a couple of teams come and ask me if I wanted to come play in the WHL,” Benn added. “I just figured there’s no real point when I’m 19-, 20-yearsold to go there and have one or two years (of major junior) and you never know what can happen, right? I thought, if nothing else, I’d go to school and then have four more years of experience. But it didn’t work like that and I just went to the East Coast and worked my way up.”
After his junior career ended in the BCHL, Benn stayed in Victoria and played one season for the ECHL’S Salmon Kings, followed by a year with the CHL’S Allen Americans (Texas) and two seasons with the AHL’S Texas Stars before making his NHL debut with Dallas during the 2011-12 season.
Benn said being able to play in Victoria and live at home was “awesome.”
“Being a kid, you’ve got nothing to worry about living at the parents’ house, playing junior hockey,” the 29-year-old said. “It was some of the funnest times of my life. Just a cool experience.”
One of Benn’s coaches in Victoria was former NHL player Geoff Courtnall, who is also from Victoria. Benn’s best friend is Courtnall’s son, Justin, who played for the Canadiens’ AHL farm team in Hamilton during the 2013-14 season. Benn and Courtnall were teammates for one season with the Tier 2 Victoria Grizzlies before Justin went to Boston University.
“Me and him talk close to every day,” Benn said about Justin. “He’s a very smart kid, so he gave me some kind words when I came here. He knew a few of the guys from playing in the American league with them.”
Benn described his road to the NHL as a roller-coaster, but it has been a smooth ride so far with the Canadiens. The 6-foot2, 200-pounder has played solid defence, becoming a fixture on the No. 3 pairing during his first nine games, averaging 16:51 of ice time and posting an even plus/minus rating. He has also contributed two goals, including one Sunday against the Senators.
“That first day was a little shocking,” Benn said about the trade. “The first thing I asked was where was I going, and they said Montreal. Who wouldn’t be ecstatic to come play for the Montreal Canadiens? It’s a big honour and I’m excited to be here. The guys have been great and we’ve been playing well.”
Coach Claude Julien has talked about how excited Benn was when he arrived in Montreal, along with his great personality and sense of humour, which have fit in well with his new teammates. The coach added he likes the way Benn — with his big, bushy beard and sleeve tattoo — knows when it’s time to work and when it’s time to have fun and enjoy life. Julien also likes how patient Benn is with the puck, making good decisions while playing solid defensively.
Benn has two more seasons remaining on a three-year, Us$3.3-million contract.
“The guys in here are awesome,” Benn said about his new teammates. “It’s an easy transition. I talked with Weby (Shea Weber, who is also from B.C.) before I got here and these guys have been great. Just come in here and play my game.”
Just like he did in Tier 2 junior hockey.