McDavid and Bennett: A Tale of Two Minors Turned NHL Stars

Strategic Insights -

In the late 2000s, two young players, Connor McDavid and Sam Bennett, were dominating the minor hockey scene in Toronto with their incredible skills and hockey sense. Ken Strong, their coach in the 2011-12 Greater Toronto Hockey League season, remembers them as exceptional players who were always ahead of the game. "They had hockey sense," Strong said. "You can't teach hockey sense, but if you can teach them the game, they can take their hockey sense to a higher level." McDavid, now the captain of the Edmonton Oilers, and Bennett, the leading scorer and agitator for the Florida Panthers, once played together in minor midget with the GTHL's Toronto Marlboros.

Key Takeaways:

  • McDavid and Bennett played together in minor midget with the GTHL's Toronto Marlboros in the 2011-12 season, showcasing their exceptional skills and hockey sense.
  • McDavid, then 14, was a year up due to his talent, while Bennett, 15, was a skilled battler who could score.
  • They represented Canada together, winning the under-18 world championship in 2013 and more recently the 4 Nations Face-Off title.
  • McDavid has been responsible for some of the prettier goals in the Stanley Cup final, including a "walk-on water" play in Game 2 against the Panthers.
  • Bennett has had his own wowza moment in Game 3, knocking a player to the ice and slamming another into the boards before scoring on a breakaway.
  • Bennett leads the post-season with 14 goals and has the ability to rattle goaltenders and get under the skin of the opposition.
  • McDavid, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the post-season's most valuable player last year, has a newavorite for the trophy this year, it's Bennett, who has been dubbed "McJesus" by some.

Statistics:

  • McDavid's team, the Edmonton Oilers, is competing in the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
  • Bennett has 14 goals in the post-season, leading the league.
  • The under-18 world championship in 2013 was won by Canada, with McDavid and Bennett as part of the team.
  • The 4 Nations Face-Off title was also won by Canada in recent years, with McDavid and Bennett as part of the team.

Sources:

  • Toronto Star
  • Canadian Press