Big Benn

With all the attention on big named young players in the NHL right now such as Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, Jeff Skinner, etc., one player is flying under the radar, and understandably so. That player is Dallas Stars Center Jamie Benn. Benn, 22 from Victoria, BC was drafted in the 5th round, 129th overall, by the Stars. He played his first junior year for the Victoria Grizzlies of the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League putting up 65 points in 52 games.  He then went on to play 2 years with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL racking up 137 points in 107 games in the combined 2 seasons he played there, also playing for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in 2009 scoring 4 goals and 2 assists in 6 games.  At 6'2'' and 205 lbs Benn is one of the most dangerous and smart young power forwards in the game today with great hockey sense.  With the combination of speed and grit, Benn, in his 3rd full season in Dallas is leading his team in points (23) and assists (17) in 22 games.  He also boasts a strong 2-way game going +10 so far this season. This comes as a surprise to many, but when I first saw him in the 2009 WJHC I saw the potential that Benn possessed.           

            In Big D, Benn is averaging 18:00 minutes a game centering the top line alongside Loui Eriksson and Michael Ryder and even though he doesn't wear an "A" or a "C" on his jersey, the big man is defiantly taking on a leadership role in the Stars locker room. This was very evident last year when star forward Brad Richards missed 10 games due to a concussion, Benn picked up the slack potting 6 goals and 10 points. Benn then went on a tear contributing 23 points in the last 23 games of the Star's season just missing the playoffs by 2 points. Jamie Benn has all the tools to be an elite power forward in the NHL for years to come. If the Dallas Stars want to compete in the near future Jamie Benn is a great piece to build their team around.