Panthers’ Sam Bennett on being named an Olympian: ‘It really meant the world’
About a week ago, Sam Bennett had told his parents to cancel their flights to Italy. Time was running out for him to be named to Canada’s roster for the Winter Olympics, so might as well just accept reality.
The phone call he gave them on Tuesday had much better news.
The Florida Panthers’ center was, indeed, going to be an Olympian.
Hockey Canada made the news official Tuesday afternoon that Bennett was added to the 25-man roster as an injury replacement for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Anthony Cirelli, who got hurt Sunday in Tampa’s win over the Boston Bruins.
“Amazing day yesterday,” Bennett said after Florida’s morning skate on Wednesday. “You go from being super disappointed and just thinking about what more I could have done or what I could have done differently. Just tried to play the rest of the year and not think about it too much. To get that call yesterday, it’s really something I’ve dreamt about as a kid and thought about every day since last year, putting on that jersey. To say it meant a lot to me is a huge understatement. Because it really meant the world.”
And yes, Bennett’s parents were able to get a new flight out to Italy. The men’s ice hockey tournament will take place from Feb. 11-22 in Milan.
“They were obviously ecstatic and through the moon when they found out,” Bennett said. “That’s that’s one of the best parts is getting to call the people that mean the most you and that helped you the whole way. I definitely had four or five unbelievable phone calls yesterday that I’ll remember. Those are the ones that mean a lot to me.”
It’s a whirlwind of emotions for Bennett, who was initially left off Canada’s roster when it was announced Dec. 31 despite showing over the past few years that he has a knack for producing on the bigger stages.
He was integral in Florida’s runs to the Stanley Cup Final each of the past three years, producing 51 points (27 goals, 24 assists) in those three postseasons. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy last postseason as the MVP of the playoffs for scoring 15 goals and racking up 22 total points.
And he scored the game-tying goal for Canada last February in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game against the United States.
But a slow start to the season and Canada looking at a few other rising players left Bennett on the outside looking in.
It was tough news to hear, Bennett said, but he shifted his focus to what he could do for the Panthers as they try to overcome a rash of injuries that have hobbled the team in an attempt to make the playoffs and try to win a third consecutive Stanley Cup.
“It’s been pretty difficult,” Bennett said. “I was super disappointed. I tried not to let that affect my game or my life. Still tried to come to the rink with a smile every day and work as hard as I can. In the back of your head, you always think there’s going to be a chance. But you never really know. Definitely fighting a lot of tough thoughts and battling, trying to move on from it, stick it out and stay with it. In the end, it worked out for me. I’m very grateful for that.”
Bennett enters Florida’s game against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday with 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 55 games. After a slow start from a point production standpoint — just three goals and five points in his first 18 games — the center has been a steady force for Florida as of late. He’s averaging a point per game since Nov. 17 — 37 points in 37 games — while still shouldering a heavier workload than usual while captain and top-line center Aleksander Barkov is sidelined following surgery to repair the ACL and MCL in his right knee sustained at the start of training camp.
“I felt responsible for it,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “He’s had just two brilliant years. When you look at the list of accomplishments — 4 Nations, the Cups, the Conn Smythe — and then we get banged up so early. I was trying to find the right group of guys, trying to spread things out. ... I think that hurt his chances. [Now,] he’s playing more minutes than he’s ever played. His game is better than it’s ever been.”
And he’s getting rewarded for it.
“Very well deserved,” said Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk, who will represent the United States in the Olympics. “We were very surprised it wasn’t at the start, but I think it just was the obvious, easy choice. We thought it was going to be that call. We were devastated for him at the time, but knew that if something would happen, he would be the first one. So happy for him.”
Added Brad Marchand, who will play with Bennett (and Sam Reinhart) for Canada: “He’s an incredible player, and he’s played on the biggest stages the last couple years and showed that he performs and excels in those situations. So incredibly happy for him. Such a great person and teammate. He’s worked so hard to earn this. You know, it’s unfortunate, feeling really bad for Cirelli, but just a great opportunity for Benny.”
The Panthers have 10 players representing their respective countries at the Olympics this winter in the first games with NHL players since 2014. Bennett, Reinhart and Marchand will play for Canada. Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola are playing for Finland. Tkachuk is representing the United States. Gustav Forsling is on Sweden’s roster. And Uvis Balinskis and Sandis Vilmanis are playing for Latvia.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event,” Bennett said. “It’s as big a stage as you can get. It’s the Olympics. So to be there with a bunch of friends and teammates from my team and from other teams, it’s just going to be a special experience all around. Really just looking forward to taking in that whole experience in the village and the ceremonies, everything we get to do. Just really excited to take that all in.”
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