[FanIn80]

Bob Hartley

“The real story behind the chin-up controversy was he had a torn shoulder that needed surgery, so once he got that done he rehabbed and joined us for the start of the (2014-15) playoffs as a scrawny kid who wasn’t scared of anything,” said former Flames coach Bob Hartley, who coached Bennett his first two seasons in the NHL.

“We played Vancouver and then Anaheim and you remember how big the Ducks were back then? He was an 18-year-old who was lacking experience, but not lacking desire, and you could count on him to take runs at the Sedins, or at (Ryan) Getzlaf.

Mason Raymond

“In my mind I was going in the next game because he couldn’t move and it sounded like someone broke his leg. Turns out he got his rib popped back and was good to go.

“He played the next game. I just remember thinking, ‘this rookie is hurt badly', but the fact he was so determined to get back in and help the team was enormous. He’s a warrior.”

Kris Versteeg

“It’s not shocking how successful he’s been in the playoffs.

“Knowing Benny, and understanding him for two years, in the regular season he was trying to do too much. He was young and trying to live up to the hype. He was still trying to play junior hockey, not pro hockey.

“In the playoffs it’s simplifying his ice, moving the puck and battling, the type of hockey he knows how to play.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...ett-a-warrior/