Benn gets set to join Jets

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/04/2021 (1608 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An old friend and new teammate gave Jordie Benn the heads up Monday afternoon that a significant life change was closing in fast.

“I actually got a text from Tommer (Nate Thompson), and it just said, ‘Benny,’ with a couple of Jets emojis,” Benn said Tuesday afternoon, in his first chat with reporters since he was dealt to Winnipeg by the Vancouver Canucks just before the NHL trade deadline Monday.

Thompson and Benn both donned Montreal Canadiens jerseys during the 2018-19 campaign.

“I hadn’t heard anything yet, so I texted him back and said, ‘What’s going on, man?’ And (Thompson) goes, ‘I hear you’re a Jet.’ And I go, ‘Oh, really? I haven’t heard any of that, yet,”‘ Benn added. “And then it popped up on the TV pretty much right after he texted me. That’s it. I mean, with social media these days, that’s pretty much how you’re going to find out if you’re traded or not.”

The Jets added some blue-line depth and experience by acquiring the 33-year-old Victoria product in exchange for a sixth-round pick in this year’s NHL Draft.

Benn, in his 10th NHL season, is still quarantining in Vancouver, owing to an outbreak that has shaken the Canucks organization, but will arrive in Winnipeg by charter flight Thursday evening.

The 6-2, 200-pound defenceman, an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the abbreviated 2021 season, has played 31 games, scoring once and helping set up eight others. Overall, he’s got 548 games under his belt after breaking in with the Dallas Stars — featuring his younger brother, Jamie, on the roster — in 2012.

Benn said he became quite familiar with Winnipeg’s roster while battling them a few years ago in the Central Division, and most recently in the North Division.

“Just playing against the Jets, I’ll tell you it’s always a struggle. They’re really good up front and their (defence) are good and they’ve got one hell of a goaltender (Connor Hellebuyck),” he said. “So, all through their lineup they’re big, they’re tough and they can play. So, it’s nice that I’m on their side now and I don’t have to battle against them every night.”

Benn and injured Jets D-man Nathan Beaulieu played together for a short stint with the Habs during the ’16-17 campaign.

While he shoots left, Benn said he’s comfortable defending and moving the puck from either side. He’s not a guy who makes the highlight reel when he plays, and that’s just fine by him.

“The way I like to play is calm, cool and collected. Make the first pass out of the D-zone, get it to the forwards as much as possible. Obviously, the Jets have a pretty dynamic four lines… you want the puck in their hands, so being able to give it to them crisp is good,” said Benn, who will don No. 40. “And then be heavy in the D-zone and block some shots. I try and keep my game as simple as possible and as predictable as possible.”

Benn was one of a handful of Vancouver players not on the club’s COVID-19 protocol list, however, he was absent for the first 10 days of the season after testing positive for virus in January.

He had no symptoms, however, then like now, his primary concern was his young family.

“Obviously just the well-being of the guys who are sick, and just making sure that if something were to happen at the rink, I didn’t want to bring it home to my baby girl or my fiancée,” said Benn. “Just follow the guidelines. Wear a mask as much as possible, obviously hand hygiene. And the biggest thing was just making sure I didn’t bring it home. And so far, so good.

“Me and my fiancée (Jessi) have been testing negative, so we’re healthy and ready to get to Winnipeg. But hopefully all the (Canucks) are feeling good here.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @WFPJasonBell