Sam Bennett, a Stanley Cup champion, gets his chance to shine for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. He's excited to face the US and showcase his skills alongside Brad Marchand and Seth Jarvis.
Sam Bennett was gearing up for practice on Friday morning, eager to contribute to his teammates' preparation for their next game in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Despite being a healthy scratch for Canada 's opening game, the bruising center remained optimistic, ready to do whatever he could to help. Then, a tap on the shoulder from head coach Jon Cooper brought a huge smile to Bennett's face. He was in the lineup for Saturday night's game against the United States .
'Haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face,' Bennett exclaimed. 'Just happy to get to prove my worth.' Growing up alongside Connor McDavid in minor hockey, Bennett now finds himself taking on Canada's biggest rival. 'Super thrilled,' he shared. 'Can't wait to get in the lineup and help this team in any way that I can.'Bennett's style of play, characterized by physicality, skill, and a competitive edge, aligns perfectly with the task at hand. He'll be playing alongside fellow agitator Brad Marchand and Seth Jarvis, facing a tough American team led by the brotherly duo of Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. 'Plays very hard,' Marchand observed of Bennett. 'Great asset to the team. He's a competitor, seen it first-hand.' Marchand's familiarity with Bennett stems from last spring's playoffs when Bennett landed a controversial sucker punch on Marchand, forcing him to miss Games 4 and 5 of Boston's second-round series against Florida. Despite the past incident, both players have moved on, embracing their temporary partnership for this tournament, a precursor to the NHL's Olympic return in 2026. 'I'm not passing him the puck,' Marchand joked. 'Whatever happens out there during the season, you let it go. We're all here for the same reason and fighting for the same goal. Those are things we can laugh about.' Bennett echoed Marchand's sentiment, stating that what occurred on the ice remains on the ice, especially when representing Canada. 'It's never personal,' he said. '(Marchand's) been super good to me. He's one of the leaders in this locker room. You can just feel his presence. He's been great taking me in. Excited to get the chance to play with him and create a little havoc.' Canadian captain Sidney Crosby acknowledged the unique edge Bennett and Marchand bring to the ice, emphasizing the importance of balancing physicality with strategic play in high-pressure games. 'The edge that they bring is important, but also you've still got to play hockey,' Crosby explained. 'They're really good at finding that balance.'McDavid, having faced Bennett in the most recent Stanley Cup final, understands the impact he can have in crucial moments. 'Big and strong,' he commented. 'I expect him to bring his energy. He's a great player. He scores big goals and does all of it. Expect him to jump right in.' Cooper's decision to insert Bennett into the lineup for Travis Konecny isn't solely based on the Americans' anticipated physical presence, including that of Florida teammate Matthew Tkachuk. 'It'll be interesting if Sam and Matthew meet in a corner at some point,' the coach mused. Bennett's unwavering commitment to the team is evident in his words to Cooper: 'Coop, if you asked me to play on this team and you told me I wasn't going to play any of the games, I still would have come.' 'You're cheering for somebody with that type of attitude.' Bennett couldn't hide his excitement as he packed up his gear, reflecting on a dream come true. 'Pretty remarkable,' he added. 'A moment you dream about as a kid.
Sam Bennett Canada Hockey 4 Nations Face-Off United States Olympics NHL Connor Mcdavid Brad Marchand Matthew Tkachuk
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