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With the 4th overall pick at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the Calgary Flames team selected Kingston Frontenacs forward Sam Bennett, on Friday night.
Despite all of Bennett's talent and potential, a pull-up (or lack thereof) at the scouting combine has colored perceptions on the top-ranked North American skater. His on-ice abilities are evident: Bennett plays hard in all three zones and uses his stellar awareness and deceptive speed to control possession and create chances.
Bennett is not usually the most flashy presence on the ice, but his consistent effort and high energy level is the type of style coaches love to see. He could be anything from a top-six playmaker to a defensive shutdown center at the pro level, but he will need to mature physically before he can get there.
Bennett says he models his game after Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour, who is the general manager of the Frontenacs and approves of the comparison. If that's not enough to get you excited about Bennett's potential, nothing will.
