Jordie Benn

Phillip Jordan Ellis Benn (born July 26, 1987) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. An undrafted player, Benn played for the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs and Brynäs IF. He is the older brother of Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn.^[1][2]

Jordie Benn
Benn with the Vancouver Canucks in 2019
Born	(1987-07-26) July 26, 1987 (age 37) Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Dallas Stars Montreal Canadiens Vancouver Canucks Winnipeg Jets Minnesota Wild Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2008–2024

Playing career

Undrafted, Benn played in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Victoria Grizzlies. Originally signing a letter of intent with the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2006, Benn deferred and later opted to forgo a collegiate career to remain in Victoria and make his professional debut with the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL in the 2008–09 season. With his younger brother, Jamie Benn, cementing his role as a prominent forward for the Dallas Stars, Benn secured his unconventional pathway up the ranks through the Stars' affiliates in the ECHL and American Hockey League (AHL).

Dallas Stars

Benn with the Dallas Stars in 2014

After the 2010–11 season with the Texas Stars of the AHL, Benn signed his first NHL contract in agreeing to a one-year, two-way deal with the Dallas Stars on July 2, 2011.^[3] In the following 2011–12 season, on January 3, 2012, Benn made his NHL debut against the Detroit Red Wings. He recorded his first NHL point, also assisted on by his brother Jamie, on a goal by Loui Eriksson.^[4] As an impending free agent following the 2015–16 season, Benn opted to remain with the Stars, signing a three-year, $3.3 million contract on June 24, 2016.^[5]

Montreal Canadiens

In the midst of the 2016–17 season, Benn's tenure with the Stars came to an end after seven years, as he was traded prior to the deadline to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Greg Pateryn and a fourth-round draft pick in 2017 on February 27, 2017.^[6] On March 4, 2017, Benn scored his first goal with the Canadiens in a 4–1 victory against New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden.^[7]

When playing against his former team the following season against his brother, Benn said:

Obviously there's a bit of a shadow when your brother [Jamie Benn] is the superstar of the Stars," Benn said on Tuesday morning. "I never thought about it like that but obviously everybody could see it. It was nice to get away and just play my game and be myself.^[8]

Vancouver Canucks

On July 1, 2019, Benn returned to his home province, signing as a free agent to a two-year, $4 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks.^[9] On February 10, 2020, Benn scored his first goal with the Canucks in a 6–2 win over the Nashville Predators.^[10]

Winnipeg Jets

In his final year under contract with the Canucks in the 2020–21 season, Benn was dealt at the trade deadline to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2021 sixth-round pick on April 12, 2021.^[11] In the closing stages of the regular season Benn, was competing with Logan Stanley and Ville Heinola for playing time, registering one assist through eight games.^[12][13] He featured in three playoff contests with the Jets, before ending his tenure with the club following a second-round series defeat to the Montreal Canadiens.^[14]

Minnesota Wild

As a free agent, Benn signed a one-year, $900,000 contract to join his fifth NHL club, the Minnesota Wild, on August 27, 2021.^[15] Benn played in 39 games registering one goal and 8 points.^[16]

Toronto Maple Leafs

Again a free agent the following off-season, Benn continued his NHL journey by signing a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 14, 2022, the second day of free agency.^[17] After missing time with a groin injury, Benn played in his first game with the Maple Leafs on November 12, scoring his first goal with the team.^[18][19] On November 23, Benn suffered an upper-body injury in a 2–1 win over the New Jersey Devils.^[20] He returned from injury on December 12^[21] and made the starting lineup on December 27, 2022.^[22] On February 25, 2023, Benn was placed on waivers for the purpose of sending him to the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.^[23] He finished the season playing in 12 games for the Maple Leafs, registering two points and 23 games for the Marlies, recording six points.^[24]

Brynäs IF and retirement

As an unrestricted free agent with the completion of his contract with the Maple Leafs, on August 30, 2023, Benn agreed to a professional tryout contract with returning to the Dallas Stars organization for their 2023 training camp, but he was unsuccessful in obtaining a roster slot for the 2023–24 season.^[24] He then signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF of the second-tier Swedish league, HockeyAllsvenskan, on October 14, 2023.^[25] Following the 2023–24 season, where Brynäs IF managed to secure promotion, after winning in the playoffs, Benn announced his retirement on September 10, 2024.^[26]

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2003–04	Peninsula Panthers	VIJHL		9	2	3	5	2		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Peninsula Panthers	VIJHL		45	5	21	26	35		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Victoria Salsa	BCHL		4	0	1	1	6		1	0	0	0	2
2005–06	Victoria Salsa	BCHL		55	5	20	25	61		16	1	5	6	6
2006–07	Victoria Grizzlies	BCHL		53	4	37	41	62		11	1	7	8	22
2007–08	Victoria Grizzlies	BCHL		60	15	32	47	78		11	2	8	10	8
2008–09	Victoria Salmon Kings	ECHL		55	1	11	12	26		3	0	0	0	0
2009–10	Allen Americans	CHL		45	9	9	18	55		20	2	9	11	12
2010–11	Texas Stars	AHL		60	2	10	12	39		1	0	0	0	0
2011–12	Texas Stars	AHL		62	9	23	32	33		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Dallas Stars	NHL		3	0	2	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Texas Stars	AHL		43	7	14	21	33		7	0	0	0	10
2012–13	Dallas Stars	NHL		26	1	5	6	10		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Dallas Stars	NHL		78	3	17	20	30		6	0	3	3	2
2014–15	Dallas Stars	NHL		73	2	14	16	34		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Dallas Stars	NHL		64	3	9	12	21		1	0	0	0	4
2016–17	Dallas Stars	NHL		58	2	13	15	24		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		13	2	0	2	4		6	0	0	0	6
2017–18	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		77	4	11	15	34		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		81	5	17	22	39		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		44	1	6	7	17		7	0	0	0	0
2020–21	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		31	1	8	9	9		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		8	0	1	1	0		3	0	1	1	0
2021–22	Minnesota Wild	NHL		39	1	7	8	10		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Toronto Marlies	AHL		23	2	4	6	14		7	0	3	3	0
2022–23	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		12	1	1	2	12		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Brynäs IF	Allsv		39	3	19	22	16		13	1	6	7	10
NHL totals				607	26	111	137	244		23	0	4	4	12

References

1. "Jordie Benn player profile". EliteProspects.com. November 2, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
2. Hornby, Lance (January 23, 2014). "Stars' Jordie Benn stepping out of brother Jamie's shadow". Toronto Sun. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
3. "Jordie Benn and Ryan Garbutt signed by Stars". Dallas Stars. July 2, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
4. Hageland, Kevin (January 3, 2012). "Americans alum Benn makes NHL debut". Star Local Sports. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
5. "Dallas Stars sign Jamie Benn". Dallas Stars. June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
6. "Canadiens acquire Jordie Benn from Stars". CBC Sports. February 27, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
7. Premier de Benn avec le Tricolore (in French). National Hockey League. March 4, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
8. Clark, Josh (November 21, 2017). "Dallas Stars: Jordie Benn Returns To Dallas For First Time". Fansided.
9. "Canucks sign defenceman Jordie Benn". Vancouver Canucks. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
10. "Markstrom sharp as Canucks top Predators 6-2". Associated Press. February 11, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
11. "Winnipeg Jets acquire D Jordie Benn from Vancouver Canucks". TSN. April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
12. Moore, Kelly (May 7, 2021). "Winnipeg Jets fans get at least one more look at Ville Heinola before playoffs". Global News. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
13. "Jordie Benn". NHL.com. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
14. "Wild sign defenceman Jordie Benn to one-year, $900K contract". Sportsnet. August 27, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
15. "Wild signs defenseman Jordie Benn". Minnesota Wild. August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
16. "Maple Leafs sign defenceman Jordie Benn to one-year deal". Sportsnet. July 14, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
17. "Maple Leafs Sign Defencemen Jordie Benn and Victor Mete". Toronto Maple Leafs. July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
18. "Jordie Benn scores as Maple Leafs beat Canucks 3-2". ABC News. Associated Press. November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
19. "Jordie Benn making Maple Leafs debut, T.J. Brodie out vs. Canucks". Sportsnet. November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
20. "Maple Leafs defenceman Jordie Benn suffers 'upper-body' injury vs. Devils". Sportsnet. November 23, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
21. Alter, David (December 12, 2023). "Jordie Benn Looks Back on Latest Injury, When he Might Return to Maple Leafs' Lineup". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
22. Koshan, Terry (December 28, 2022). "Nylander scores in OT as Maple Leafs return from break to beat Blues". Toronto Sun. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
23. "Rangers F Leschyshyn, Maple Leafs D Benn placed on waivers". TSN. February 25, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
24. "Jordie Benn receives tryout from Stars". CBS Sports. August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
25. Cudzinowski, Matt (October 14, 2023). "Jordie Benn signs with Brynäs IF, will pursue career in Sweden". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
26. "Jordie Benn retires from NHL after 12 seasons". National Hockey League. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database