As training camp continues, the vacant NHL club captaincies are gradually being filled.
Forward Jamie Benn has been named the sixth captain of the Dallas Stars.
Stephane Robidas and Ray Whitney will serve as the alternate captains for the 2013-14 season.
Stars general manager Jim Nill and head coach Lindy Ruff made the official announcement Thursday at the Dr. Pepper Arena.
“In a very short period of time, Jamie Benn has gone from being an exciting up-and-coming player in the NHL to being a cornerstone of the franchise,” stated Nill. “He has steadily grown as a player and as a person. He conducts himself each and every day in a professional way and continually leads by example. We fully believe that he will be a driving force in getting this team to the next level — and now he’s our captain.”
Benn joins the Ottawa Senators’ Jason Spezza and the New York Islanders’ John Tavares as new captains named this month. The Flames, Oilers, Blue Jackets and Lightning are still without captains.
The Stars had been without a captain since Brenden Morrow (now a free agent) was traded to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline this past spring.
The 24-year-old Benn served as an associate captain last season. He’s signed with the team through 2016-17.
A native of Victoria, B.C., Benn was drafted 129th overall by the Stars in 2007. He missed four games of the shortened 2012-13 season due to contract negotiations, but then inked a five-year, $26.25-million contract with only NHL club he’s ever played for.
“I’m deeply humbled and honoured to be named the captain of the Dallas Stars,” Benn stated. “I look forward to representing this organization, my teammates, our fans and this great city in our pursuit to bring another Stanley Cup to Dallas.”
Benn has 82 goals and 111 assists for 193 points in 263 NHL games. The sniper won a gold medal as a point-per-game member of Canada’s world junior team in 2009 and played in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, where he won the accuracy shooting contest.
Noticeably left off Team Canada’s preliminary Olympic camp roster this summer, Benn has said he’s using the snub as inspiration.
