Toronto Maple Leafs: Former Defenseman Signs Professional Tryout

His stint was not long with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he played well while he was here.  Tuesday afternoon, Jordie Benn signed  a Professional Tryout with the Dallas Stars for the upcoming training camp.

Benn signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs last July for the 2022-23 season and suited up for 12 games during the year before finishing with the Toronto Marlies.

The 36-year old came to the organization known as journeyman defenseman that had a lot of experience and was a physical prescience on the back end.  In his 12 games with the team he collected one goal, averaged nearly 16-minutes a game and recorded 31 hits.

His time on the roster was limited due to two injury stints, the first was a groin issue he sustained in training camp that resulted in him starting the season on the injured list.

Once Benn got healthy after training camp he became a fan favourite as he collected a goal in his first game and then an assist in his second outing (credit: hockey-reference.com).

Fans thought the team may have found the perfect bottom pairing defenseman as after two games he had registered a pair of points as well as dishing out ten hits.

Injuries Derailed Benn’s Time with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Unfortunately, in his sixth game of the season, Benn sustained an upper body injury that knocked him out of the game early and landed him on the injured list for another month.  By the time he returned in late December, the 600-game veteran could not catch up and only got into another half dozen games and in late February he was placed on waivers finishing the season with the Toronto Marlies.

In 23 games with the American League affiliate, Benn would record six points and add another three in seven playoff games.

By signing a PTO with the Dallas Stars, the British Columbian native is able to have a shot at continuing his career where it all started.

Benn went undrafted after playing junior hockey for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL and after seasons playing in the ECHL and CHL, he signed an AHL deal with the Texas Stars (affiliate to Dallas).

After one season on an AHL deal, the Dallas Stars signed him to an NHL contract that would start a 302 game career with the Stars that saw him play with his brother, former Art Ross Trophy winner Jamie Benn.

Jordie Benn has grinded for everything that he has got over his career and you can bet if he sees an opening on the Stars roster he’ll be going hard right for it.