Edmonton Sun-The Skinny: Drafted in the fifth round by Phoenix in 2006, Bendfeld didn't sign with the Coyotes and re-entered the draft as a 20-year-old. He's big and tough and likes to play that way (136 and 160 penalty minuutes over the last two seasons).QUOTE: "He's probably a few years away from handling that part (in the NHL)."
Edmonton Journal-The Leduc product had been drafted by Phoenix in 2006 but didn't have a contract and ended up back in the draft.
In his fourth season with the WHL's Tigers, he banked 160 penalty minutes and 25 points in 72 games.
"He's tough," Prendergast said.
"We thought maybe we could make a deal with (Phoenix) after the draft, but rather than fight with 29 other teams, we said let's take him. We know him very well. He played for (Edmonton Oil Kings coach) Bob Green in Medicine Hat so we had a pretty good book on him and he's probably a kid who can play for us in Springfield."
Overage WHL bruiser.
ReplyDeleteOriginally taken by Phoenix in 2006.
ReplyDeleteThe next Jarret Stoll? I think so!
ReplyDeleteNot really. But these guys usually have long careers somewhere, be it in the UHL or the NHL. Goons will never go out of style.
I'll have to have a look at this but on the face of it this is probably a nice pick. Oilers have done extremely well with overagers (Brodziak, Roy and the Finns) over the years.
ReplyDeleteThe more I think about it, the more I feel that this pick was basically made to add some ruggedness to the Springfield defensive corps next season. The physical aspect seems to be the one area where there isnt much to chose from among Oilers D prospects.
ReplyDeleteThe physical aspect seems to be the one area where there isnt much to chose from among Oilers D prospects.
ReplyDeleteRoy and Young are both tough customers and Peckham is an actual goon. Yes, there are a lot of Bisaillon-Petry-Chorney-Wild types on the list, but it's not like the Oilers are so desperate for some grit that they need to draft guys with no chance just to fill a hole.
What I find intriguing is that during the summer Bendfeld is playing in the Edmonton Metro Ball Hockey League. But here's the kicker, he's playing in the lowest division against men who have little or no hockey experience.
ReplyDeleteIn a recreational league where no hitting is permitted, and most of the guys are out to have fun, Benfeld rips it up fighting players while slashing and roughing his way to glory. What a champ. Is this really the type of player the Oilers want in the lineup?
http://www.pointstreak.com/players/players-team-roster.html?teamid=120851&seasonid=2545
http://www.pointstreak.com/players/playerpage.html?playerid=1913883&seasonid=2545