Florida Panthers veteran forward Sam Bennett is now an Olympian.
Panthers forward Sam Bennett joining Team Canada
Team Canada management needed a replacement for injured Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli and made the right choice when recently announcing that two-time Stanley Cup champion Bennett would indeed be taking Cirelli’s roster spot for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy.
What makes Bennett the logical choice as a replacement is his impressive hockey resume, which, besides the Stanley Cups, also includes winning the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy, helping Canada win last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, helping Canada in 2013 strike gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and that same year also playing for a Canada squad who won the IIHF U18 World Championship. It’s no coincidence that Bennett wins wherever he plays.
Besides having that gifted ability to excel in high-pressure situations, Bennett also brings that physicality and is an exceptional defensive player who can kill penalties and is dominant in the face-off circle. With his strong defensive play and leadership skills, he brings the right tangibles to Team Canada to give them a better chance at Olympic Gold.
Bennett, who is 29 years-old, from East Gwillimbury, Ontario, was originally drafted in 2014, 4th overall by the Calgary Flames. After seven seasons with the Flames, Bennett was on April 12, 2021 involved in a trade which sent him to South Florida.
Currently in his fifth season with the Panthers, Bennett has heading into the Olympic break produced 19 goals along with 42 points and 60 PIM’s.
Cirelli, who is 28 years-old from Woodbridge, Ontario, had his Olympic dreams dashed in Sunday’s Stadium Series 6-5 SO Lightning win at Raymond James Stadium over the Boston Bruins when late in the first period he sustained an upper-body injury after receiving a punishing but clean hit from Bruins forward Mark Kastelic.
Bennett bounces back from injury vs. Sabres
Bennett’s dream of playing in his first Olympics almost took a big hit when on Monday, February 2nd during first period action in Monday’s 5-3 win at Amerant Bank Arena against the Buffalo Sabres, he left 5:11 into the first period with an upper body injury and didn’t return.
“We’ll just leave it as upper-body. We’ll get a better handle on it tomorrow,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said.
With the Olympics days away, any concern of Bennett not being able to answer the bell as a possible Team Canada injury replacement was put to rest when two nights later, on Wednesday, February 4th, he was back in the line-up against the Boston Bruins.
“It’s pretty incredible. I mean, it’s every kid’s dream to get to represent your country in the Olympics,” Bennett said about being selected as an injury replacement for Canada. “I have so many great memories of watching the Olympics with my family, so yeah, to be here and to be preparing for that, it’s a pretty cool experience.”
Bennett also went on to add, “It’s gonna be even a bigger stage than the 4 Nations, and we know how many people are going to be watching, especially in Canada. It’s going to be a big moment.”
Several qualified injury replacement candidates for Team Canada to choose from
It’s no secret that the NHL is full of elite talented Canadian hockey players.
Truth be told, Canada could probably ice two highly competitive Olympic teams with both having a shot at Olympic gold.
Besides Bennett other players who easily could have filled in as a Team Canada injury replacement includes Dallas Stars young forward Wyatt Johnston along with veteran forwards Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele.
Johnston, who is 22 years-old, from Toronto, Ontario is having a breakout season which has seen him produce 29 goals along with 59 points and 16 PIM’s in 57 games played. During his young career, Johnston has scored 118 goals and 236 points along with a plus/minus of +19 in 303 games played.
Hyman is another Toronto product who at 33 years-of age hasn’t shown and signs of slowing down. Playing now in his 11th season, Hyman, who was injured in last spring’s playoffs, had a late start to the season which has seen him score 22 goals and 36 points along with 14 PIM’s in only 39 games played.
Scheifele, who is 32 years-old, from Kitchener, Ontario, and playing in his 16th season has with 27 goals, 68 points and 22 PIM’s has been practically the only positive aspect of an otherwise forgettable season for the Jets. In his career Scheifele has scored 363 goals, 872 points and 443 PIM’s in 935 games.
No matter who Canada chose as an injury replacement for Cirelli, there would be no wrong decisions. Saying that, with Bennett’s versatility, experience, physicality and solid defensive play, he was in hindsight, the logical choice.
Main Image: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
