[Rick M.]

I found an interesting article re Bennett is the Kinston Whig Standard dated just before the draft. Here is an excerpt:


When it comes to Sam Bennett’s inability to do a pull-up at last month’s scouting combine, Doug Gilmour, Jason Spezza and Jeff Skinner have a message for the doubters.
It just doesn’t matter.
“Nobody knows that he played with a shoulder ailment for much of the year,” revealed Gilmour, Bennett’s general manager with the Kingston Frontenacs. “It wasn’t the type of thing that needed surgery but it showed that this guy is a warrior. He plays through pain.
“I’ll be the first to stick up for him. He’s a special player. In fact, when we first drafted him in Kingston, Gary Roberts was very impressed by his work ethic and told me he was going to be a pro.”


Interestingly, the mainstream media didn't pick up on this information. We already knew that Bennett missed the Top Prospects game due to a groin injury and that he was hobbled in the playoffs by a groin injury, but this is the first I heard of a shoulder problem. This is one tough kid.