Photo Caption: Sam Bennett poses on stage after being selected fourth overall at the 2014 NHL Draft in Philadelphia. (Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images)
From Combine Punchline to Conn Smythe Champion
He couldn’t do a single pull-up at the NHL Combine.
Now? He’s pulled the Florida Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cups—and skated away with the Conn Smythe Trophy.
This is the rise of Sam Bennett.
Not the prospect. Not the punchline. The playoff monster.
Ten years ago, Bennett made headlines for failing a fitness test. Today, he’s in every headline for something much bigger: delivering when it matters most.
And it all clicked in the series that turned him into a full-blown playoff legend.
The Villain in Round 2
Game 2. Round 2. Toronto vs. Florida.
A net-front bump between Bennett and Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz didn’t draw a penalty. It barely registered with the officials. But the collision forced Stolarz from the series—and ignited a storm.
Leafs fans called for a suspension. Florida didn’t flinch.
“That was the moment Bennett became public enemy number one,” said a Panthers assistant coach. “And he wore it like a badge.”
Bennett followed with gritty goals, relentless pressure, and a few more scrums for good measure. When Florida eliminated the Leafs in five, he wasn’t just the story—he was the spark.
The Firestarter
You can scan the stat sheet, but Sam Bennett’s value goes beyond numbers.
He brings chaos. He brings emotion. He brings energy that wins playoff games.
“He’s the guy who lights the fuse,” said teammate Matthew Tkachuk. “When Benny’s on the ice, everybody leans in a little more—because something’s about to happen.”
Through every round, Bennett was the guy who kept showing up in hard areas, driving the net, and dragging the Panthers into the fight.
Built in Kingston. Perfected in Florida.
Bennett’s playoff engine was built in the OHL. Back in Kingston, he was already doing the things he’s celebrated for now—forechecking with bite, crashing the crease, and making his team harder to play against.
“He’s been the same guy since junior,” said coach Paul Maurice. “People made a big deal about a pull-up test. They should’ve been watching the way he competed every night.”
Sam Bennett tracks the play during his OHL days with the Kingston Frontenacs, where his tenacity and two-way game made him one of the league’s most coveted draft prospects. (Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images)
Conn Smythe, Cup—and What’s Next
When the Panthers raised the Cup for the second straight year, there was no question who led the charge.
Sam Bennett. Conn Smythe winner. Emotional heartbeat.
And now? He’s set to hit the open market this summer as one of the most intriguing free agents in the league.
A Stanley Cup warrior. A two-way center built for playoff hockey. A player whose game gets better as the pressure rises.
Teams will be lining up.
The Last Word
They used to laugh about the pull-ups.
Now they chant his name at championship parades.
Sam Bennett didn’t change his game—he stayed true to it.
The guy who crashed the net. Stirred the pot. Delivered in the clutch.
Because when it mattered most, Sam Bennett didn’t need to pull up.
He pulled the Panthers all the way to the top—twice.
Photo Caption: Sam Bennett poses on stage after being selected fourth overall at the 2014 NHL Draft in Philadelphia. (Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images)
Want More Stories Like This?
If you loved this story, you’re going to love my new book, Junior Hockey Giants, launching July 1st.
It’s packed with exclusive stories and rare photos of players like Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, and many more—capturing the unforgettable moments before they became NHL stars.
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Book drops soon Watch this space for the full launch!