Giants hit road without captain Benson
Tyler Benson’s return to the Vancouver Giants doesn’t sound imminent.
Giants general manager Glen Hanlon told Sportsnet 650 on Sept. 22 he expected Benson — the team captain rehabbing from off-season sports hernia surgery — would return to the squad during their upcoming six-game Eastern Conference road trip, which starts Friday with a visit to the Swift Current Broncos.
On Monday, Hanlon directed questions regarding Benson to the Edmonton Oilers, who used a second-round pick in the 2016 NHL draft to nab the six-foot, 190-pound forward. The Oilers signed Benson, an Edmonton native, to a three-year entry-level deal last December.
Via email, an Oilers media relations representative said Monday that Benson was continuing to work with team medical staff in Edmonton and suggested to check back later this week for an update.
Hanlon did clarify that Benson, 19, would practise with the Giants for at least a week before playing in a game upon his reassignment to Vancouver.
Benson didn’t attend Giants training camp, staying in Edmonton to work with Oilers staff. That’s unusual for a junior-aged player.
Benson, at 19, is a year too young to be assigned to the minors. He must be sent to junior this season if he doesn’t stick with his NHL club.
He didn’t play any exhibition games with the Oilers and he was held out of the Young Stars tournament in Penticton. His last game with the Giants was Jan. 2, 2017.
He did take part in Oilers development camp in July.
Vancouver (2-3-0-0) hit the road Tuesday morning. They played the Seattle Thunderbirds (3-2-01) Tuesday night before heading east for games against the Broncos (Friday), Moose Jaw Warriors (Saturday), Prince Albert Raiders (Oct. 17), Saskatoon Blades (Oct. 18), Brandon Wheat Kings (Oct. 20) and Regina Pats (Oct. 21).
Their next home game is Oct. 27, when the Prince George Cougars visit the Langley Events Centre. The Cougars feature Langley native Dennis Cholowski, 19, a defenceman picked by the Detroit Red Wings 20th overall in the 2016 NHL draft.
Benson, a centrepiece of the Giants since they took him first overall in the 2013 WHL bantam draft, has played just 63 games the past two regular seasons due to injuries. His missed action included recovery from surgery to remove a cyst near his tailbone and then an inflamed pubic bone.
In 132 career games with Vancouver, he has 34 goals and 115 points. That included 11 goals and 42 points in 33 games last season.
Benson was invited to the Canadian world junior team development camp over the summer, but had to pull out due to injury trouble.
The Giants have missed the playoffs three straight seasons and four of the last five campaigns.