From: NHL.comby Michael Crechiolo
Beau Bennett is a changed man.
A lot has happened in the year since he was selected in the first round (20th overall) by the Penguins in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, with the most noticeable change being one of a physical nature.
Bennett has packed 23 pounds of muscle onto his 6-foot-1 frame since the draft, going from 173 pounds to his current weight of 196 pounds.
He also just finished his freshman year at Denver University, where not only did he have to make the transition to the college game from junior A hockey, but the 18-year-old California native had to adjust to living on his own for the first time.
As of now, Bennett plans on turning pro at the end of his sophomore season. But if he doesn’t feel ready by that point in time, he’s willing to continue developing as a player and person in the program that Denver offers.
“My goal from the get-go is two years of college, and hopefully I’m ready by then,” he said. “But if not, I’m at a great place in Denver with great coaches, great friends and great teammates, so I’m more than willing and ready to stay as long as I need to to feel ready for the next level.”
For now, he plans on continuing to enjoy playing the game he loves while becoming the best player he can be for both his Denver coaches and those in the Pittsburgh organization.
“I come to the rink every day excited to skate, ready to skate and I have fun with it,” he said. “I do know there’s things I need to get better on, but one thing I identified early that I need to get stronger and better defensively. It’s no secret, and I just need to keep pushing myself and that’ll make my coaches in Denver happy and then hopefully, down the line, the people in Pittsburgh as well.” [read entire article].
9 comments:
Unless Bennett made dramatic improvements from last year, he is light years away from being ready for the big time.
Agreed. Beau needs to concentrate with the task at hand. He needs a breakout year like Drew Shore had last year. Maybe he is looking to much towards the future.
Usually, the biggest jump in player production comes from freshman to sophomore year.
Beau showed lots of his talent on and off last year, but spent some time hurt, and also was too skinny at 175lbs to be vrey effective on the walls or in the corners. He played most of his game on the perimiter.
With 20+ pound more muscle added this, that should increase his confidence level and help him to be a more complete player.
He could have a Shore-like breakout season if he works hard, moves his feet and gets more involved down low.
No doubt he's saying all the right things to show Pittsburgh that he wants to be there ASAP.
Beau's stats (9g, 15a) were actually in line with Gabe Gauthier (8g, 8a) as a Freshman, so like Gabe, he will end up as a dominant college player if he is patient.
The problem of course is that Gabe was undrafted and Beau went in the first round.
Clearly Beau wants to be out of Denver ASAP, but when you see how far Colborne and Wiercioch are from becoming regular NHL contributors, you just have wonder what the hurry is unless you just have to go for the money for family situations.
his apparent desire for a contract after this season should be good drive for him to have a breakout campaign. the key is definitely moving his feet.
Skip, excellent points. I'm feeling very optimistic about this upcoming season and I predict a breakout year for BB.
The extra weight should help, and you have to like Bennett's confidence. And I definitely saw glimpses of greatness last year. All that said, Bennett needs lots of polish and needs to up his compete level to be an impact player at this level. I look forward to seeing how much improved he and Nick Shore are this year.
if he is not at least all wcha I would not like his chances at going pro after next season. If he does get all wcha or something similar i would consider him a flight risk.
Beau give Dingle a call to see how things are working out.
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