Jordie Benn’s roller-coaster road to the NHL
CANADIENS DEFENCEMAN COBBLED TOGETHER PRO CAREER WITH TIER 2 JUNIOR BACKGROUND
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 fourth- round pick at this year’s NHL draft.
The fact Benn even made it to the NHL is also a surprise.
Benn never played major junior hockey or at the U. S. college level. Instead, the British Columbia native spent four years playing Tier 2 junior hockey in his hometown of Victoria and wasn’t selected in an NHL draft.
“I got a scholarship to (the University of ) Alaska Fairbanks when I was 17,” Benn recalled after the Canadiens’ 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators Sunday night at the Bell Centre. “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 years old 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 British Columbia Hockey League, Benn stayed in Victoria and played one season for the East Coast Hockey League’s Salmon Kings, followed by a year with the Central Hockey League’s Allen Americans ( Texas) and two seasons with the American Hockey League’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 funniest 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 BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies before Justin went to Boston University.
“Me and him talk close to every day,” Benn said about Justin, the nephew of former Canadien Russ Courtnall. “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- foot-2, 200- pounder has played solid defence, becoming a fixture on the No. 3 pairing during his first nine games, averaging 17:16 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 Canadiens had a day off Monday before facing the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday at the Bell Centre. Sunday’s win over Ottawa moved the Canadiens four points ahead of the Senators atop the Atlantic Division standings and Montreal’s next five games are all at home. The Canadiens have 10 games remaining in the regular season and next Saturday’s rematch with the Senators is the only one against a team currently in a playoff position.
Things are looking good for the Canadiens, who are 10- 4- 0 since Claude Julien took over from Michel Therrien as head coach.
Julien 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 r emaining on a t hree- year, US$3.3-million contract.
“The guys in here are awesome,” Benn said. “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.