AHL Chat Room: Jamie Benn

Here's Jamie Benn's answers from fans as he did the AHL Chat Room yesterday. The topics include the biggest differences between the NHL & AHL, Using the Calder Cup Playoff Experience in the NHL next year and looking to get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The first 3 games of the Calder Cup Final against Hershey. Playing with Mike Modano and so much more.


What has been some of the differences between playing in the AHL this Postseason compared with what you experienced in the NHL? Alyson in Austin, Texas

I think the biggest thing was getting used to the teammates, coming down after not playing with any of these guys all year. Not knowing any of the opponents just trying to get to know to them was another thing.


Was is strange to join the Calder Cup Playoffs after not playing a single game in the AHL during the entire regular season? Jared from Oxford, Mass.

Maybe a little bit, but I was excited to come down here, I was excited to be a part of this team and make a good run. I guess we've had a pretty good playoffs so far, and were just looking to close it out.


What have you been able to learn from playing in the Calder Cup Playoffs with Texas that you might be able to take back to Dallas next season? D'Ann from Austin, Texas

Just what it takes to win. I've stepped up from what I had last year in the playoffs (in the WHL), you get to play against some adversity and in big games. The character that we showed to come back in two game 7's was big, and two Game 7's on the road was pretty special.


Describe the experience of going into Hershey for the first two games of the Finals, with all the tradition and large crowd the Bears have. How were you guys able to win not one, but two games in such a tough environment? Dan from Hershey, Penn.

I think we just kept it simple and played our game, played Texas Stars Hockey, and that got us two wins. We knew they're a good team, and we were focused on the team, not the fans. The biggest thing was getting a win, and we were fortunate enough to get two there.


As an individual, have you noticed the Bears playing you any differently then the other three teams you've faced this postseason? How are you trying to adjust? Tim from Worcester, Mass.

No, I think throughout the playoffs each team has played me pretty tight. The Bears are doing a good job this series, but that's why I've got teammates to help me out. I want to help them out, too.


Now that Hershey has finally shown what they are capable of, what is the coaching staff focusing on in order to get ready for the rebound in Game 4? George from Cedar Park, Texas

I think we know now - we knew before - that they have a high powered offense. We have to key in on that, play our game, control the puck, have the puck as much as we can, and I think we will be fine.


From your perspective as one of the younger players on Texas, has it benefited you and the team to go through the playoff run with former Calder Cup Champions Andrew Hutchinson and Dan Jancevski as teammates, as well as a few guys who opposed Hershey in last year's Final with the Manitoba Moose? Kevin from Boston

Yeah, the more experience we have, the better. Those guys have definitely lead the way and shown us what it takes, and it's been really good to have them around.


What was it like to play with Mike Modano up in Dallas this past Season? Payton from Leander, Texas

It was unbelievable. Mike's a great guy, a great hockey player, and it was pretty special to play with him and to see what he does at the rink, and how he prepares for games. Its something that I will never forget.


Who from the Dallas Stars do you think had the biggest impact on improving your game over the course of the past season? Josh from Round Rock, Texas

You know, I think every guy helped me out a lot. Every guy took me in and kept me under their wing, showed me the way. I don't think I can say one guy in particular, but the whole team helped me around. (My linemates) switched around quite a bit, but I got some good time with Brendan Morrow and Mike Ribeiro, and with Jere Lehtinen and Mike Modano.


How much of a lift has the home crowd been for you guys this postseason, and what was it like coming out to see a packed arena for Game 3 last night? Shannon from Round Rock, Texas

It was unbelievable, the support we get here is amazing. We definitely notice it, and we have to thank our fans for being so great.


How does it feel knowing you have a chance to win two different league championships in a span of just two seasons? Karmela from Prince George, B.C.

It feels pretty good. We're two wins away from winning it here, and it's going to be tough, but I guess that's something pretty special to say you've had a chance two years in a row.


You've played a lot of hockey over the last two years at an extremely high level. How do you keep the intensity up over so many games and how is your body holding up? Darryl from Kelowna, B.C.

I think it's just the excitement of playing the game. I love hockey. I love playing it, and every game is fun. I think that's what keeps me in it.


You've been on the road a lot it seems, but have you found any fun things to do in the Austin Area during the Calder Cup Playoffs? Jennifer from Leander, Texas

All the boys are pretty tight and we do a lot of things off the ice, but we also try to get a lot of rest in when we're not playing.


How much are you looking forward to your second season in Dallas next year? Tyler from Austin, Texas

I'm looking forward to it a lot. It's going to be a big season for me and around the Dallas Stars, and it should be an exciting one. I need to get stronger, get bigger, and just work on my game in general.


Now that you have finished your rookie season in the NHL and will be winding up your playoff run with the Texas in the next week, what do you like to in your free time and during the offseason? Kathryn from Rockwall, Texas

I'll probably just relax, go golfing a lot, and just go back home and see friends and family.

Jamie Benn to enter the AHL Chat Room

Jamie Benn is going to enter the AHL Chat Room coming up on June 8 next week to enter questions from the fans as the Texas Stars are looking to win the Calder Cup in the team's first year.

After having a stellar rookie year with the Dallas Stars with 41 points (22G 19A) in 82 games played for the National Hockey League. After the Stars failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Stars sent him down to Texas to help out with the Calder Cup Playoffs in Austin, and since then, he has been great. He's leading the league in playoff goals with 14 and is looking to break the AHL Rookie Playoff Goal Scoring Record in the post season with one more goal.

Then prior to turning pro, he spent two seasons with the WHL's Kelowna Rockets where he scored 147 points which included 79 goals. He also lead the WHL in Playoff Scoring in 2008-09 where he helped the Rockets when the 2009 WHL Championship and making the Memorial Cup Final before coming just short against Windsor.

AHL Chat Room Link: http://theahl.com/texas-benn-to-enter-ahl-chat-room-p142924

Click on the Link that says "Click Here to submit your Question for Jamie".

Jamie Benn Article on the NHL Website

Here's an interesting article regarding Jamie Been who's gone from a stellar NHL Rookie to helping the Texas Stars in their AHL Playoff Run. So far in 6 AHL Playoff Games, he's been very stelar by scoring 8 points (4G 4A) and is leading the team in scoring so-far.

He's having this success despite not playing a single game in the AHL all season long during the regular season. During the NHL Regular Season, he played in all 82 games where he scored 22 goals and added 19 assists. Doing this while playing both Left Wing & Center during the season.

From Lindsay Kramer of the NHL Website: www.nhl.com

Class was in session for the Texas Stars last week. Rookie forward Jamie Benn and his classmates cracked open the books on the Chicago Wolves in advance of the West Division Finals between the two teams.

"It should be a tough series, bit it should be pretty fun," Benn said. "It's something new. But that's why were here preparing for this team. Now you go into the game and just play."

While scouting reports may have their advantages, perhaps the less Benn knows about any Stars Opponent or even the league in general the better.

Combining the wonderment of a new comer and steelingess of a bill collector, Benn, 20, has been Texas' true gift from above this post-season. After playing the full season with Dallas, where he posted 22 goals and 19 assists in 82 games, he comes to the farm team for a little spring break in the AHL.

Despite not having never played a second in the league and knowing almost nothing about the competition, his adjustment period passed in the time it tooked to find the new rink. He scored in his first AHL Contest - Game 1 of the opening series against the Rockford Icehogs - and produced 3 goals and 3 assists in the sweep. He then added a goal and an assist in the 4-3 win in overtime of Game 1 against the Chicago Wolves.

Playoff experience? sure thing. The 6'2", 207 pound Benn will experience putting up points and helping Texas experience winning.

"It was a challenge. But these are the fun times," he said of his debut. "I had the adrealine pumping. I felt pretty good out there. I had the first goal, and I just ran with it."

Texas coach Glen Gulutzan saw this type of storm gathering strength months ago. Really, he did. Gulutzan watched Benn in the Traverse City Rookie's Tournament last preseason and was struck by the prosepcts bear trap of a mind. You told him something, he went out there and did it. And then he did again, only much better.

"I could tell right away he could implement, the way you want to play on his first shift." Gulutzan said. "He's a real cerebral player. He can use his size and strength. He's strong on the puck. He can make plays in tight. He's a real well rounded play.

Benn's center stage background was beyond question. He won a gold medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships with Team Canada and then finished 5th overall in the WHL and led Kelowna with 46 goals in just 56 games. He took Kelowna to the Memorial Cup Finals with a league leading 33 points in 19 playoff games.

"I got to play in some pretty big games. That helps you a lot down the road to know what to expect, how to control your emotions," Benn said.

That would all be of use later on, after Benn, a 5th round draft pick back in 2007, served his dutiful apprenticeship in the AHL. Check that. Benn went through the pre-season and proved the closest he needed to come to the Minors was looking up the standings on the internet if he wanted.

"We had him pegged on our board in Texas." Any time you get a fifth rounder impacting the NHL like Jamie Benn impacted it, you have to have the element of surprise," said Scott White, assistant GM of Dallas. "In trainning camp, he took advantage of his opportunities. He plays both sides of the puck and can finish. The Kid is a player."

There was always a Plan B, though, no matter how long it took to unfold. Dallas thought all along that if the Stars didn't make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, at least Benn would get a chance for some pro post-season flavoring with Texas.

"We value the playoff experience in the American Hockey League. For players like Jamie Benn, the positives far outweigh the negatives," White said.

"I was excited to come down here and play some hockey. I prepared myself for it, and I was ready to go," Benn said. "It's definitley step up from the WHL Playoffs. It's a lot more challenging, a lot faster. I just want to have a good effort, bring out the best in what I can. It benefits me a lot."

"That's a good question," White said of where Benn will settle. "I think down the road, in the NHL, he'll be center. I bet if you asked him to play D, he'd play D.

Gulutzun plans on exploiting that enthusiasm while he can. Whenever Benn winds up playing long term, the coach is thinking that it's very doubtful it will be in the AHL any time soon.

"You won't see Jamie Benn in the American Hockey League after these playoffs, I'll tell you that," Gulutzan said. "This is a one shot deal for Jamie Benn."