Wikipedia

Sam Bennett (ice hockey)

Sam Bennett
Bennett with the Florida Panthers in April 2023
Born (1996-06-20) June 20, 1996 (age 29)
East Gwillimbury, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Florida Panthers
Calgary Flames
National team  Canada
NHL draft 4th overall, 2014
Calgary Flames
Playing career 2015–present

Samuel Hunter Bennett (born June 20, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bennett was rated by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau as the top North American prospect for the 2014 NHL entry draft, where he was selected fourth overall by the Calgary Flames. Bennett made his NHL debut in the 2014–15 season. Bennett won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Panthers in 2024 and 2025, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in the latter.

Playing career

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Kingston Frontenacs

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A native of Holland Landing, Ontario, he played minor ice hockey for the York-Simcoe Express and then the Toronto Marlboros. He played in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament as a member of York-Simcoe, and was a teammate of Connor McDavid.[1] In 2012, he was selected ninth overall by the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection Draft.[2] He appeared in 40 games with the Frontenacs in 2012–13 and recorded 40 points to earn a place on the OHL's Second All-Rookie Team.[3][4]

Returning to the Frontenacs for the 2013–14 season, Bennett was among the OHL's scoring leaders by mid-season. He stood fourth with 66 points in 40 games and was on a 24-game scoring streak when he suffered a minor injury that prevented him from participating in the 2014 CHL Top Prospects Game.[2] In its mid-season ranking, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau named Bennett as the top North American prospect for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.[5] One of the Bureau's scouts praised Bennett's offensive ability: "His puckhandling and playmaking are excellent and he has one of the best shots in this year's draft class. He has scored several goals from the high slot and coming in off the wing and has been very effective on the power play."[5] Concerns were raised when at the 2014 NHL Scouting Combine, he was unable to do a single pull-up. He retained the top spot in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking after recording nine points in seven playoff games for Kingston despite playing through a groin injury.[6] He finished the regular season with 36 goals and 91 points in 57 games.[7] He was named to the OHL's Third All-Star Team.[8]

The Calgary Flames selected Bennett with the fourth overall selection at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, and he quickly signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the club.[9] He attended the team's training camp prior to the 2014–15 season, where he injured his shoulder. Bennett admitted that the shoulder had ailed him the previous season in Kingston, but he initially failed to disclose the issue, stating he "wanted to play" and would "do anything to make the team and play in the NHL this year".[10] Instead, Bennett's injury required surgery to repair, which the Flames said would prevent him from playing for several months.[10] After missing five months of action, Bennett was medically cleared to play and was reassigned to Kingston on February 21, 2015.[11] He scored 24 points in 11 regular season games for Kingston and added 3 assists as the Frontenacs were quickly eliminated in the OHL playoffs.[12]

Calgary Flames (2015–2021)

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Bennett with the Calgary Flames in October 2014

The Flames recalled Bennett to Calgary after Kingston's season ended, and he made his NHL debut in the team's final regular season game on April 12, against the Winnipeg Jets. He recorded his first career point on his first shift – 33 seconds into the contest – assisting on a Micheal Ferland goal in a 5–1 loss.[13] Bennett was a regular player for the Flames in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, and recorded his first NHL goal on April 19, a game-winner against Eddie Läck of the Vancouver Canucks in a 4–2 victory.[14] Bennett played all 11 playoff games for the Flames, in which he scored three goals and added an assist.[15] On January 13, 2016, Bennett scored four goals against the Florida Panthers. At 19 years and six months, he became the youngest player in Flames history to score a hat-trick, and the third-youngest player in NHL history to score four goals in a game.[16] Bennett scored his first three goals within the first 17 minutes of the game, and added a fourth goal in the last minute of the third period.

On September 6, 2017, the Flames signed Bennett to a two-year, $3.9 million contract extension worth $1.95 million annually.[17] On July 24, 2019, Bennett was re-signed to a two-year contract.[18]

Florida Panthers (2021–present)

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On April 12, 2021, Bennett, along with a sixth-round pick in 2022, was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for draft rights to Emil Heineman and a second-round pick in 2022.[19]

Bennett would immediately find offensive success with the Panthers, scoring three goals and two assists in his first three games with the team. In the final 10 games of the season with the team, Bennett would register 15 points, surpassing his point total in 38 games earlier in the season with the Flames.

On July 26, 2021, Bennett signed a four-year, $17.6 million contract extension with the Panthers.[20]

Bennett entered the 2021–22 season hoping to continue his offensive success with the Panthers from last season, and he did just that. On October 16, 2021, in just the second game of the season, Bennett scored his second career hat-trick in a 5-1 win over the New York Islanders. Coincidently, it was his first hat-trick since recording his first one against the Panthers.[21] Playing on a line with Jonathan Huberdeau, Bennett continued to produce offensively throughout the season. Two games after his return to the lineup, Bennett scored another hat-trick, and added an assist for a four point game against the Dallas Stars. The season would prove to be successful for both Bennett and the Panthers, as the team won their first Presidents' Trophy in franchise history, and Bennett scored 28 goals and 21 assists for 49 points, crushing his previous career highs. Bennett would score three points in the Panthers first round series against the Washington Capitals, which they won in six games. However, both Bennett and the Panthers hit an offensive wall as they faced the Lightning in the second round. The Panthers only managed three goals in the series, as they were swept by the Lightning in four games. Bennett would be held off the scoresheet for the entire series.

Coming off a successful season that ended in disappointment, Bennett and the Panthers looked for revenge in the 2022–23 season. Although his usual linemate, Jonathan Huberdeau, was traded to the Flames, Bennett was reunited with longtime Flames teammate Matthew Tkachuk in the deal, and immediately found a new linemate. Although this provided both Bennett and Tkachuk with senses of familiarity, the Panthers were struggling to replicate the same firepower they had the previous year. Injuries plagued the Panthers, including Bennett, who suffered an injury on March 20, 2023 against the Detroit Red Wings that held him out the rest of the regular season. However, he traveled with the team to play the Boston Bruins. Despite missing Game 1, Bennett made his return in Game 2, scoring a goal in a 6-3 victory. Bennett and the Panthers were heavy underdogs against the Bruins, who broke multiple regular season team records and were one of the most successful regular season teams in NHL history. However, Bennett and the Panthers battled back from a 3-1 series deficit to force a Game 7. In Game 7, the Panthers came back, and Bennett assisted on Carter Verhaeghe's overtime goal, forcing one of the biggest upsets in NHL history. The Panthers would pull their momentum all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they would lose to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Bennett scored five goals and ten assists in the playoff run.

Bennett started off the 2023–24 season injured, and would miss the first seven games of the Panthers season. He played his first game of the season on October 30, 2023 against the Bruins, lasting all but eight minutes before leaving the game after getting injured once again.[22] Bennett would return to the lineup on November 12, where he once again find himself a consistent offensive contributor to the Panthers, reaching the 20-goal plateau for the second time in his career, as the Panthers won the Atlantic Division. In Game 2 of the Panthers first-round series against the Lightning, Bennett suffered an upper-body injury that would keep him out for the rest of the series. However, the Panthers beat the Lightning in five, and Bennett returned to the team for Game 3 against the Bruins, scoring an assist.[23]

International play

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Medal record
Representing Canada Canada
Ice hockey
4 Nations Face-Off
Winner 2025 Canada/United States
IIHF World U18 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2013 Russia
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold medal – first place 2013 Czech Republic/Slovakia

Bennett played for the Canadian under-18 national team in the 2013 World U18 Championship. He recorded three goals and four assists in seven games as Canada won the gold medal with a 3–2 victory over the United States in the final.[24][25] He also played on the gold medal-winning Canadian team at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.[26][27]

Personal life

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In 2024, Bennett became engaged to his girlfriend Zoe Zeleny,[28] a volunteer for the Humane Society of Broward County.[29] They founded Benny's Buddies, a charity that raises funds to pay for the adoption fees at the Humane Society.[30][31] Bennett also volunteers with Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids, a nonprofit that provides free lunches to schoolchildren.[32]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Bold indicates led league

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 Kingston Frontenacs OHL 60 18 22 40 87 4 0 3 3 2
2013–14 Kingston Frontenacs OHL 57 36 55 91 118 7 5 4 9 18
2014–15 Kingston Frontenacs OHL 11 11 13 24 14 4 0 3 3 4
2014–15 Calgary Flames NHL 1 0 1 1 0 11 3 1 4 8
2015–16 Calgary Flames NHL 77 18 18 36 37 — — — — —
2016–17 Calgary Flames NHL 81 13 13 26 75 4 2 0 2 4
2017–18 Calgary Flames NHL 82 11 15 26 59 — — — — —
2018–19 Calgary Flames NHL 71 13 14 27 93 5 1 4 5 16
2019–20 Calgary Flames NHL 52 8 4 12 36 10 5 3 8 10
2020–21 Calgary Flames NHL 38 4 8 12 19 — — — — —
2020–21 Florida Panthers NHL 10 6 9 15 33 5 1 4 5 8
2021–22 Florida Panthers NHL 71 28 21 49 74 10 1 2 3 12
2022–23 Florida Panthers NHL 63 16 24 40 54 20 5 10 15 60
2023–24 Florida Panthers NHL 69 20 21 41 100 19 7 7 14 12
2024–25 Florida Panthers NHL 76 25 26 51 90 23 15 7 22 48
NHL totals 691 162 174 336 670 107 40 38 78 178

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Canada U18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 3 4 7 4
2013 Canada IH18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 3 1 4 6
2025 Canada 4NF 1st place, gold medalist(s) 3 1 0 1 5
Junior totals 12 6 5 11 10
Senior totals 3 1 0 1 5

Awards and honours

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Award Year Ref
OHL
Second All-Rookie Team 2012–13 [4]
Third All-Star Team 2013–14 [8]
NHL
Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award 2019–20 [33]
Stanley Cup champion 2024, 2025 [34]
Conn Smythe Trophy 2025
International
4 Nations Face-Off champion 2025 [35]

References

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  1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  2. ^ a b MacAlpine, Ian (January 14, 2014). "Bennett tops NHL draft ranking". Kingston Whig-Standard. p. A1.
  3. ^ "Sam Bennett statistics". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Bell, Aaron, ed. (2013). 2013–14 OHL Media Guide. Ontario Hockey League. p. 149.
  5. ^ a b Morreale, Mike G. (January 13, 2014). "Kingston's Bennett rises to top of midterm rankings". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  6. ^ Kennedy, Ryan (2014). "Fantastic Four". The Hockey News Draft Preview 2014. pp. 6–12. ISSN 0018-3016.
  7. ^ "Top 60 prospects". The Hockey News Draft Preview 2014. 2014. p. 22. ISSN 0018-3016.
  8. ^ a b "OHL announces 2013–14 All-Star Teams". Ontario Hockey League. May 14, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  9. ^ Gilbertson, Wes (July 25, 2014). "Calgary Flames sign Sam Bennett to three-year deal". Calgary Sun. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Sam Bennett's shoulder injury requires surgery, say Calgary Flames". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 9, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  11. ^ Harrison, Doug (February 21, 2015). "Sam Bennett sent back to junior hockey by Flames". Canadian BroadcastingCorporation. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  12. ^ "Sam Bennett NHL.com". NHL. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  13. ^ Johnson, George (April 13, 2015). "Making his point". Calgary Herald. p. D3.
  14. ^ Francis, Eric (April 20, 2015). "Play it again, Sam!". Calgary Sun. p. S2.
  15. ^ "Sam Bennett Career Stats". NHL.com. Calgary Flames. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  16. ^ Harrison, Doug (January 13, 2016). "Sam Bennett youngest Flame with 4-goal game". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  17. ^ "Flames sign RFA Sam Bennett to two-year deal". Sportsnet.ca. Calgary. September 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  18. ^ "Flames re-sign Sam Bennett". NHL.com. July 24, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  19. ^ "Florida Panthers Acquire Forward Sam Bennett from Calgary Flames". NHL.com. April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  20. ^ "Panthers re-sign RFA Bennett". TSN. July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  21. ^ "Bennett Notches Hat Trick, Florida Easily Tops Islanders 5-1 - CBS Miami". www.cbsnews.com. October 17, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  22. ^ McPherson, Jordan (November 2, 2023). "A second Sam Bennett injury once again creates ripple effects on Panthers' forward lines". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  23. ^ Ryan, Conor. "Sam Bennett's return for Panthers spells bad news for Bruins". www.boston.com. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  24. ^ "Player statistics by team – Canada" (PDF). IIHF. April 28, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  25. ^ "Russian fans show love to Canada's U18 gold-medal team". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 28, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  26. ^ "Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team". Hockey Canada. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  27. ^ "Canada beats US for gold at Ivan Hlinka U-18 tourney". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. August 10, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  28. ^ "Sam Bennett and Zoe Zeleny share common passion for love, hockey and animals". The Times of India. May 7, 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  29. ^ "Who is Sam Bennett's Fiancee? | Meet Zoe Zeleny". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  30. ^ "'It's such a rewarding feeling': Sam Bennett launches Benny's Buddies | Florida Panthers". www.nhl.com. October 26, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  31. ^ Birch, Jacey (October 28, 2024). "Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett scores goals for homeless pets". WPLG. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  32. ^ Foundation, Flames (December 15, 2017). "BENNETT, BRODIE HELPING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY". Calgary Flames Foundation. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  33. ^ Foundation, Flames (January 12, 2021). "FLAMES ANNOUNCE RALPH & SONIA SCURFIELD AND J.R. "BUD" McCAIG AWARDS RECIPIENTS". Calgary Flames Foundation. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  34. ^ Satriano, David (June 18, 2025). "How Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers were built". NHL.com. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  35. ^ "McDavid's OT winner leads Canada past USA to capture the 4 Nations Face-Off championship". tsn.ca. February 20, 2025.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Calgary Flames first round draft pick
2014 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Conn Smythe Trophy
2025 		Succeeded by
Incumbent