Posted On Friday, 06.27.2014 / 9:32 PM

By Samuel Bennett -  Special to NHL.com /NHL.com - Samuel Bennett draft blog

Bennett: Couldn't be happier to be a Flame

Samuel Bennett, a center with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, was ninth in the OHL with 91 points in 57 games and was named the top 2014 NHL Draft prospect in the Canadian Hockey League. He led his team in points, goals (36), assists (55), plus/minus rating (plus-34) and power-play goals (10). He also had a league-best 25-game scoring streak in which he totaled 17 goals and 46 points. Bennett, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's list of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2014 Draft, has offered to maintain a blog leading up to this year's draft.

PHILADELPHIA -- Well, it's finally here. I'm at the NHL Draft.

I got up this morning really early. I didn't have much of an appetite all day. I sat in my room for a while and just had so many thoughts were going through my head. I was with my parents the whole time, and they really helped me calm down. At one point I went down and worked out for a little bit just to clear my head.

I got dressed and came down to the rink about 5 p.m. I did a little bit of media stuff and then I sat in the stands. It definitely was nerve-wracking a little. I was just really anxious to get it done. The minutes started to feel like hours.


Posted On Thursday, 06.26.2014 / 2:12 PM

By Samuel Bennett -  Special to NHL.com /NHL.com - Samuel Bennett draft blog

Bennett: Lead-up to draft in Philly has been a blast

Samuel Bennett, a center with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, was ninth in the OHL with 91 points in 57 games and was named the top 2014 NHL Draft prospect in the Canadian Hockey League. He led his team in points, goals (36), assists (55), plus/minus rating (plus-34) and power-play goals (10). He also had a league-best 25-game scoring streak in which he totaled 17 goals and 46 points. Bennett, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's list of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2014 Draft, has offered to maintain a blog leading up to this year's draft.

PHILADELPHIA -- Hello from Philadelphia, where we're getting ready for the draft.

It's been a fun few days in the city. Yesterday we did a pretty cool tour of the city. The best parts were visiting the art museum and the Rocky statue, and batting practice at the Phillies game.

Seeing the Rocky statue was pretty cool, and we ran up the steps a little bit like Rocky did. I enjoyed that.

Definitely batting practice was my favorite, though. I had some memories from back in my baseball glory days, when I was 7 or 8 years old. It was fun to get out there in the big field and swing the bat again.

Posted On Monday, 06.09.2014 / 6:03 PM

By Samuel Bennett -  Special to NHL.com /NHL.com - Samuel Bennett draft blog

Bennett: It's a thrill to be in New York for Cup Final

Samuel Bennett, a center with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, was ninth in the OHL with 91 points in 57 games and was named the top 2014 NHL Draft prospect in the Canadian Hockey League. He led his team in points, goals (36), assists (55), plus/minus rating (plus-34) and power-play goals (10). He also had a league-best 25-game scoring streak in which he totaled 17 goals and 46 points. Bennett, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's list of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2014 Draft, has offered to maintain a blog leading up to this year's draft.

NEW YORK -- Hello everyone from Madison Square Garden, where I'm at for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

I got into town yesterday afternoon. It's my first time in New York. As soon as we got here we had a bunch of free time so me and Michael Dal Colle went and walked around downtown. I was blown away by the buildings and the amount of people that were outside. Definitely really cool to see.

This morning we got up at 8 a.m., grabbed some breakfast and headed over to the rink. As soon as we got here we sat in the stands and watched the morning skates for a little bit, then we went up and went with Don Cherry and did the prospect interview, the one that he does with the top prospects every year. That was really cool. I used to watch those growing up all the time and I loved watching them. So being a part of that was really cool.


Posted On Saturday, 05.31.2014 / 12:38 PM

By Samuel Bennett -  Special to NHL.com /NHL.com - Samuel Bennett draft blog

Bennett: Combine a great new challenge

Samuel Bennett, a center with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, was ninth in the OHL with 91 points in 57 games. Named the top 2014 NHL Draft prospect in the Canadian Hockey League, he led his team in points, goals (36), assists (55), plus/minus rating (plus-34) and power-play goals (10). He also had a league-best 25-game scoring streak in which he totaled 17 goals and 46 points. Bennett, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's list of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2014 Draft, has offered to maintain a blog leading up to this year's draft.

Hello hockey fans!

Well, my NHL Scouting Combine experience is complete.

I got up around 8 a.m. and went down for some breakfast and at the time I thought it would be a good idea to get some real food into me. But after the two bike tests, I didn't hold down my breakfast too well.

Posted On Thursday, 05.29.2014 / 3:31 PM

By Samuel Bennett -  Special to NHL.com /NHL.com - Samuel Bennett draft blog

Bennett: Meeting Lightning GM Yzerman a thrill

Samuel Bennett, a center with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, was ninth in the OHL with 91 points in 57 games. Named the top 2014 NHL Draft prospect in the Canadian Hockey League, he led his team in points (91), goals (36), assists (55), plus/minus rating (plus-34) and power-play goals (10). He also had a league-best 25-game scoring streak in which he totaled 17 goals and 46 points. Bennett, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's list of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2014 draft, has offered to maintain a blog leading up to this year's draft.

Hi everyone!

I'm checking in from the NHL Scouting Combine here in Toronto.

It's hard to pick out one high moment, but I'm having a lot of fun here and it's really cool meeting some of these guys. I just left an interview with the Tampa Bay Lightning and got to talk to Steve Yzerman, so that was a big highlight; it's always cool when you get a chance to talk with him. I was a little star-struck at first, but then you get over that as soon as you start talking to him because he's such a down-to-earth guy.

Posted On Wednesday, 05.28.2014 / 8:37 AM

By Samuel Bennett -  Special to NHL.com /NHL.com - Samuel Bennett draft blog

Bennett enjoying time at NHL Scouting Combine

Samuel Bennett, a center with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, was ninth in the OHL with 91 points in 57 games. Named the top 2014 NHL Draft prospect in the Canadian Hockey League, he led his team in points, goals (36), assists (55), plus/minus rating (plus-34) and power-play goals (10). He also had a league-best 25-game scoring streak in which he totaled 17 goals and 46 points. Bennett, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's list of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2014 draft, has offered to maintain a blog leading up to this year's draft.

Hi hockey fans!

Coming into the NHL Scouting Combine, I didn't really know what to expect at first but I knew I just wanted to leave a good impression with all the teams. For some of these teams it's the first time I'm meeting them and it's the first time for me meeting a lot of the general managers so I definitely want to get to know them and leave a good impression.

I really didn't know how many interviews to expect but I heard I could have gotten anywhere from 10 to 30, so I guess 18 is what I would expect.

To prepare for the Combine I actually talked to [Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff] Skinner and [Ottawa Senators forward Jason] Spezza, two guys I work out with. We train at my gym and they told me there's nothing to stress about too much. It's pretty laid back actually and I've actually noticed that so far.


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