On Wednesday, the Habs inked blueliner Mac Bennett to a two year entry level
contract that commences in 2014-15. This means like unlike some college
prospects and free agents that sign at this time of year, he is not eligible to
suit up with the Canadiens for the remainder of this season. As per club
policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Bennett was selected 79th overall by the Habs in the 2009 NHL draft. He
has spent the last four years at the University of Michigan, including this past
year as captain. Over that span, he tallied 14 goals and 51 assists in 136
games (2 goals and 14 assists this season in 31 contests). Though he has
been labelled as an offensive blueliner, Bennett’s defensive game has improved
considerably during his college stint and he is now more of a two-way player
than an offensive one.
Although it has not yet been officially announced, expect Bennett to sign an
amateur tryout deal (ATO) in the coming days with Hamilton so that he can finish the
season with the Bulldogs. Once there, he’ll be reunited with Wolverine
alumnus Greg Pateryn; the two formed a pairing in Michigan and it will be
interesting to see if the two are paired together before long with Hamilton.
Bennett’s Stats
The Bulldogs did announce one signing on Wednesday. They’ve inked left
winger Nick Sorkin to an ATO. The 6’3 winger spent his college career at
the University of New Hampshire and had 41 points in 41 games this year.