TSN lists Benn as a player to watch at World Juniors

With the World Juniors getting underway in Ottawa tomorrow, TSN has put together a list of top ten NHL-drafted players to watch at this year’s tournament. Among those on the list is Stars prospect Jamie Benn. Here is what TSN had to say about Benn:

Reason to Watch: The late round draft pick has excellent athletic ability with a knack for scoring clutch goals and could have a significant impact at the WJC.

Benn is an underappreciated forward in his draft year since he was playing in the BCHL, but showed his worth while dominating the WHL this season. A solid 6 foot 2 and 205 pound winger, he has shown the hockey sense to compete at the NHL level and thinks very quickly. Has very good puck skills as he can pass quickly and crisply, and can also stickhandle to create time and space. He seems to be at his best when he’s driving to the net and lingering in the slot since he has a nose for the net and a knack for clutch goals. This season already he has four short-handed goals, three game winning tallies, two first goals and six insurance markers out of 24 goals. Now that is clutch goal scoring.

Benn has soft hands and can deflect pucks in close to go along with a strong wrist shot and slap shot. He is tough to get the puck from when down low or in the slot and shows core strength and power beyond his weight. He has been training in the off-season with CrossFit, which is the same program that all the actors on the Spartan movie 300 got their size and strength from. He is a good skater overall and can be a little sneaky with his quickness.  Benn displays the agility in tight areas to be effective.

You can check out TSN’s full list of players to watch here. 

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