Benn in Dallas
r By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
r [email protected]
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r TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Jamie Benn hasn't scored a goal in two games at the NHL Prospects Tournament this week, and some people are wondering what's wrong.
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r That's a good thing.
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r Benn actually has played quite well in his two games, but that's not all that's expected, and he knows it. After posting breakthrough numbers last season in his final year of junior hockey, Benn realizes that he's now seen as a guy who is expected to score.
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r "Every year, there are expectations. That's part of the game," Benn said. "It's a challenge. It's nice to have and something I look forward to."
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r The expectations have never been higher for Benn. He not only posted 46 goals among 82 points in 56 regular-season games last season with Kelowna, he added 18 goals among 42 points in 23 playoff games.
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r That's right. Against the best junior players in Canada, he tallied almost two points per game.
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r "I just think he really got caught up in it and started to enjoy the process and realized that his team needed him," said Dennis Holland, who scouts Western Canada for the Stars and has watched a great deal of Benn's development. "You know, I think it was just the next step for him, and he really embraced it and worked on every part of his game, and it paid off."
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r In the process, Benn learned how much hard work can make a difference, Holland said.
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r Benn started in Victoria in the British Columbia Hockey League (a notch below major junior) and was known only as a goal-scorer. He had 42 goals in 53 games, and that led the Stars to draft him in the fifth round. But when he made the jump to Kelowna, Benn started to see how much work his game needed.
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r "He put on weight, he was more physical and he really started to work on the defensive side of the game," Holland said. "Now, I would say he is as good on the penalty kill as he is on the power play. He sees a part of his game that needs work, and he goes after it. He wants to be a complete player."
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r This summer, Benn has worked on strength and skating and said he feels like he's made strides. New Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk is just starting to get to know Benn as a prospect, but he's already impressed.
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r "I definitely think he's ready for the next step," Nieuwendyk said. "You just look at him and he's already in a man's body. If he doesn't make our team out of camp, you will definitely see him play for us at some time this year."
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r Benn said he wants to make the NHL roster, but he understands the hurdles. Dallas already has a large group of talented wingers on the NHL roster, including Brenden Morrow, Loui Eriksson, Steve Ott, James Neal and Fabian Brunnstrom. All of those are left-handed, like Benn. So there's a very good chance he will land in Cedar Park, playing with the Stars' new AHL affiliate.
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r If he does, he probably will be playing on the top power play and the top line – and he will be expected to score goals.
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r That's something he should get used to.
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r "I think he really enjoys it," Holland said. "I think that's one thing you love about him – he wants the pressure."
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r Briefly: The Stars' prospects played much better defensively in a 2-1 shootout loss to Minnesota on Monday. That came in the wake of a 9-6 loss to St. Louis on Sunday. … G Tyler Beskorowany allowed one goal on 30 shots. … Michael Neal scored the only goal for Dallas.
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