How Sam Bennett Stays Respected While Walking the Line of Disrespect
TORONTO — The day before Sam Bennett caused the Toronto Maple Leafs' starting goaltender to be taken to the hospital, a cunning blow to the skull A guest stopped by former teammate Steven Lorentz’s area to ask a question.
What’s the first thing that pops to mind when you hear the name Sam Bennett?
“Killer,” Lorentz replied.
Lorentz uttered the word not with disdain, nor with fear, but with admiration, though he was unaware of precisely what would unfold in Game 1 alongside his former teammate from the Florida Panthers. Nonetheless, he certainly grasped the implications. could occur whenever his rival-friend's blades struck the ice during an intense competition.
“Want me to expand?”
Please.
“I am really fond of Bennett’s work,” Lorentz started, enthusiastically.
He’s an ideal player for the playoffs—a teammate everyone wants due to his focused approach. He finishes his hits and adheres strictly to playing the correct style of hockey, putting forth maximum effort every time. We understand exactly what he brings to the ice. If he has someone targeted, he will aim to body-check them cleanly. This makes him not only skilled but also efficient within the rules. His play is straightforward and genuine. Many people commend him highly; thus, we must stay alert whenever he steps onto the rink.
Otherwise, Bennett will rotate it for you. This is what Lorentz omitted.
Stop by Scott Laughton’s station that very morning—before the media required the fire department to douse its flames, as Bennett’s coach, Paul Maurice, might express it with great flair—and you'd see that same cunning grin when Bennett’s name comes up.
Laughton, who hails from the same general area around Toronto and shares a comparable career timeline, practices during the summertime alongside Bennett but has consistently viewed himself as a rival rather than a colleague.
Their history stretches back 12 years, to Kingston-Oshawa tussles in the OHL, when a rookie Bennett agitated Laughton so much one night, he picked a fight.
Formidable opponent," Laughton stated. "He attempted to push me towards the back of the rink. I pursued him down the ice, and subsequently, we got into a scuffle.
Seems on brand.
Laughton smiles again.
"I often spot him during the summertime. He's an outstanding competitor who always gives his all, which means you have to keep up and push yourself even harder. You've got to elevate your intensity," Laughton stated.
“He’s quite a reserved person who keeps mostly to himself. While I’m familiar with a few of his friends, overall, things might change as the series progresses.”
What many people from outside might not grasp about Bennett the Menace—a human nail gun for whom both his productivity and ability to cause discomfort peak during playoffs—is why someone who performs such brazen acts garners respect across the board, including from opponents.
Former Bruin now with the Panthers, Brad Marchand was physically knocked out of a playoff game last spring due to Bennett's unexpected punch, but he has swiftly adapted to his new role as Bennett's teammate.
He managed to get away with a penalty, but I won’t say anything about it," Marchand commented regarding an occurrence that affected his concluding series with Boston. "Stuff like this occurs; it's just part of playoff hockey. I've experienced similar situations from the opposite end too many times. While I believe he should have faced consequences here, such incidents are simply a facet of the game and certainly common during playoffs.
Toronto's Matthew Knies, who describes Bennett as "intimidating," found this out the hard way.
Two years ago, Bennett removed the power forward—who was still a rookie—from the initial Panthers-Leafs series after he slammed Knies into a concussion with an over-the-top tackle far from the play, about 100 feet away from the puck.
Bennett dodged suspension for all these actions. He has a Stanley Cup ring, has been integral to Florida’s most successful and savage era of NHL hockey and, by July 1, will be showered with the richest contract of his life.
"I play a tough brand of hockey. I believe folks often get bothered by stuff and agitated, but I attempt to block those distractions out. My focus is simply on playing my own game and helping our team secure victory. I make an effort to dismiss all that commotion," Bennett stated to journalists on Tuesday at the Panthers' accommodation in downtown Toronto.
He sounded like a guy who slept just fine.
He admitted that he "certainly" operates right at the limit. However, what about that Stolarz chicken wing?
“It’s just a minor bump. No rough stuff involved,” Bennett stated. “I definitely wasn’t considering attempting to hit him with my elbow.”
And if you believe that, we're delighted to sell you nine acres of wetland in southeastern Florida.
When pushed for comment, Bennett stated, 'I approach the game intensely, and I believe this intensity is crucial during playoff season. Occasionally, that's how you secure victory.' He also mentioned, ‘Of course, I feel sympathy when players get hurt; it isn’t something I aim to do. However, at the end of the day, hockey is naturally a physically demanding sport.’
That’s precisely why someone with Bennett’s rarity — boasting 29 goals and 62 points across 90 playoff games — garners such immense admiration within hockey circles.
There aren't many players like him, are there?" remarks teammate Evan Rodrigues. "He's tough and talented. It's frustrating to play against him.
“He’s the type of guy that you don’t want to line up against, right? Like, if you get put in the wrong spot, his hits do damage. So, (Tom) Wilson’s probably the closest thing still in the league.”
It took Rodrigues a minute to start warming up to Bennett after they stepped out of their skates.
"He tends to keep to himself. There's something quite serious about his demeanor. However, he's really humorous. Once you engage him in a chat, he becomes rather talkative," Rodrigues explains.
But if you talk to him, he turns out to be surprisingly outgoing. Perhaps this is why people often misunderstand him. In my opinion, he’s much more affable than most folks realize.
Lorent provides a comparable character assessment.
“He doesn’t seem extremely extroverted or anything. He remains quite calm and steady. He rarely grins early in the day,” explains Lorentz, who tends to be very cheerful first thing in the morning.
But after getting to know him, you realize he's an amazing person, truly wonderful. His kindness is unparalleled. Both he and his fiancée (Zoe Zeleny) became close friends of ours, and both are exceptional individuals. Many athletes share this quality away from their sport. He plays hockey; that's his profession. Once he steps onto the ice, though, it becomes strictly about work.
Mitch Marner, who hails from Toronto just like Bennett and was born almost a year later, has been acquainted with him since their childhood days. Before the incident involving Stolarz occurred, Marner promptly commended Bennett for his swiftness, shooting ability, and skill in setting up plays.
But his strength and his readiness to maneuver around opponents and help out his teammates stands out," Marner mentioned. "I witnessed this exceptional quality during the 4 Nations tournament.
Supporters of the Canadian team cheered for Bennett a few months back when he scored during the gold-medal match and got into a brawl with American player Brady Tkachuk.
According to Marner, "He might be one of the most heavily built players in the league and also one of the wildest. You can count on him to deliver his best in each game, so you have to ensure you're prepared to match that level of intensity."
Brandon Carlo adds, currently responsible for guarding Bennett for yet another consecutive playoff run: "It's rare to find scenarios where he isn’t involved. Whether offensively or defensively, he excels at nearly anything around the puck, which makes him an exceptionally talented player. His physical presence is significant; he holds his ground well in tight spaces and competes fiercely. It’s this competitive drive that truly distinguishes him."
When questioned about Bennett, Andy O'Brien, who trains many NHL players, mentions Sidney Crosby.
O'Brien has been collaborating with Bennett privately since his first season, and their connection intensified when O'Brien was appointed as a high-performance consultant for the Panthers. Much like the way the fitness and wellness specialist previously provided individual coaching to Crosby prior to joining the Penguins' team.
Not many individuals have witnessed Benny's intensely competitive nature," O'Brien explains during their telephone conversation. "Away from the rink, he is quite gentle-spoken. However, his rigorous training regimen shows how seriously he takes things." O'Brien adds, "He appears to be very relaxed. Yet, once you put him in a high-stakes situation, that competitiveness really emerges.
O'Brien highlights the hit by Bennett on Carolina's Jaccob Slavin during the 2023 Eastern Conference finals as a striking instance. This showcases the possibility of outbreaks of damaging aggression on the ice.
"In the 4 Nations tournament, for him to join as an additional forward, demonstrate such determination, represent his nation and his fellow team members, and score a crucial goal in the final match, this reveals much about his personality," O'Brien states.
“I had the opportunity to work closely with him for an extended period, and what I observed became evident. Those who have worked alongside him were well aware of his qualities. However, over time, this began to resonate within the broader hockey community, which contributes significantly to his current popularity. Few athletes possess such a blend of strength, determination, and talent. Being part of his journey has truly been remarkable.”
What makes gemstones special is their value, but equally impressive is how durable they are—they're hard to crack or damage.
The Maple Leafs have not managed to do so. It appears that the Department of Player Safety isn't very keen on making an effort either.
And Maurice is simply delighted that he has this specific jewel in his possession.
"He pushes boundaries. About two and a half years back, there was an incident that your team has aired more than 4,000 times. Then, seven years ago, he received a parking ticket which I believe also ended up in the footage," Maurice stated on Tuesday regarding the recent media frenzy surrounding Bennett the Menace.
He has the puck, he’s on a power play, heading towards the net. Got it. Alert the fire department. Extinguish your hair. Shall we proceed? Kindly.
Honestly, I've watched every pitch Sam Bennett has made since he was 12 years old today. Got it. Proceed as you wish. We're fine with it. The puck will drop soon enough.
And Bennett’s gonna Bennett.
Comments
Post a Comment