Sam Bennett’s Olympic Redemption: From Snub to Spotlight with Team Canada
When the original Team Canada roster dropped on New Year’s Eve, Sam Bennett’s name was nowhere to be found. For a guy who helped lead the Florida Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cups and took home the Conn Smythe last spring, that omission raised more than a few eyebrows. But if Bennett was frustrated, he didn’t show it-not publicly, and not in the Panthers’ locker room.
“He handled that right,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. “A great example of when things don’t go your way… he said, ‘I guess I need to play better.’ And that was it.”
That quiet professionalism paid off. Last Tuesday, Bennett got the call he’d been hoping for-he was headed to Milan-Cortina as a late addition to Team Canada, replacing injured Tampa Bay forward Anthony Cirelli.
“An amazing day,” Bennett said afterward. “You go from being super disappointed, just thinking about what more I could have done, or what I could have done differently. I just tried to play the rest of the year, not think about it too much.”
And then, the call came. A dream since childhood, realized in a moment.
“To get that call was something I have dreamt about as a kid and thought about every day since last year. Putting on that jersey… to say it meant a lot to me is a huge understatement. It really meant the world.”
Bennett had already proven himself on the international stage. He was part of Canada’s championship squad at last year’s NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, where he played alongside Brad Marchand and delivered in the clutch-tying the score in the final before Nathan MacKinnon sealed it. That tournament set the tone for his electric postseason run, culminating in a second straight Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe Trophy to his name.
So yeah, missing the initial Olympic cut was a surprise. Even his Panthers teammate-and Team USA rival-Matthew Tkachuk had thoughts.
“Definitely an upgrade for their team,” Tkachuk quipped.
The two sit next to each other in the Panthers’ locker room in Fort Lauderdale, and the morning after Bennett got the nod, Tkachuk’s Team USA gear-complete with a shiny new blue helmet-was sitting in Bennett’s stall. A little friendly trolling between teammates never hurt, especially when Olympic bragging rights are on the line.
As of now, Bennett is in Italy, getting ready for Canada’s Olympic opener against Czechia on Thursday. In early practices, he’s been skating in an extra forward role alongside fellow late addition Seth Jarvis from the Hurricanes.
But if last year’s 4 Nations tournament taught us anything, it’s that Bennett knows how to make the most of an opportunity. He was scratched in the opener of that tournament before becoming a key contributor down the stretch.
And whether he’s centering a top-six line or grinding out shifts in a depth role, Bennett’s just focused on doing whatever it takes to help Canada win.
“When my name was left off, it was definitely difficult,” he said. “Just tried to keep a positive mindset.
You never know what can happen. I’m just so grateful that I got the opportunity to be here.”
Panthers Well Represented in Milan-Cortina
Bennett isn’t the only Florida Panther making the trip to Italy. Team Canada also features Sam Reinhart and Brad Marchand, while Team USA includes Matthew Tkachuk and, despite injury, defenseman Seth Jones. Panthers GM Bill Zito is serving as an assistant GM for the American squad, and the team’s equipment manager Teddy Richards is also on board.
Elsewhere, Finland boasts a strong Panthers presence with Eetu Luostarinen, Niko Mikkola, and Anton Lundell, though captain Sasha Barkov will miss the tournament due to injury. Assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu is also behind the bench for the Finns.
Gustav Forsling suits up for Sweden, while Uvis Balinskis and Sandis Vilmanis represent Latvia. Jamie Kompon, an assistant coach for the Panthers, is with Team Germany.
Men’s Olympic Hockey Schedule Highlights
Here’s a look at what’s ahead in Milan-Cortina, with all games available via Peacock in the U.S. and CBC Gem in Canada:
- Thursday: Canada opens against Czechia at 10:40 a.m. ET.
Team USA faces Latvia at 3:10 p.m. ET.
- Friday: Canada takes on Switzerland at 3:10 p.m. ET, while Finland and Sweden clash at 6:10 a.m.
ET.
- Sunday: Canada wraps group play vs.
France at 10:40 a.m. ET.
USA faces Germany at 3:10 p.m. ET.
From a late cut to a last-minute call-up, Sam Bennett’s Olympic journey is already one of the early storylines to watch in Milan. And if history is any indication, he’s not just happy to be there-he’s ready to make an impact.