[mile]

Article by George Johnson:
https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/my-g...ng/c-304931794

"What's different?" repeats Flames GM Brad Treliving to the question put to him. "Identify a greatest growth area in Sam Bennett?

"Well, I'd say in just being himself. In being more comfortable in his own skin.
"In realizing he can be a major player here, can have a real impact and that that impact is not solely statistically based.

"We expect him to produce offensively and he will, he does. But he gives us a certain different skill set that not a lot of guys possess.

"There's an abrasiveness, a competitiveness, a hardness, to him that you can't just walk down to the corner store and find any day of the week."

"Everyone,'' reckons Bennett, "wants to be the goal-scorer, produce all the points. I mean, who wouldn't want that?

"But especially when you're winning as a team, you realize there are things, important things, other than those kinds of stats that go into it.

"It takes time to kind of find your role. And that role can change over time.

"Obviously, I'm not the same player I was when I came into the league. And I think through the course of my career I'm going to change again.

"It just kind of works itself out.'

The developing maturity of Sam Bennett since his arrival here hasn't been confined to the on-ice. A cancer diagnosis for his mom Diane two years ago hit home that real strength comes in different sizes, shapes and forms.

"It's eye-opening. Came out of nowhere, blindsided us," he says. "Pretty scary for awhile. You do learn to appreciate life more. All those things you thought were so important … turns out they're minor.

"I remember my parents sitting down and telling me. You get pretty emotional. It's just the not knowing … a tough day for sure.

"Thank God she's doing good now and that's behind us."

One of my favorite Flames...happy to hear that Sam has found that comfort level when it comes to his role and that his mom is doing better.