Sam Bennett Gets Team Canada Nod, Replacing Injured Forward

Multiple reports on Tuesday have confirmed that Sam Bennett will be joining Team Canada after all. Following news that he was not originally selected for the team, news that Bennett is in for Anthony Cirelli made the rounds Tuesday morning. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports, “Bennett was dinged up last night, but nothing serious. Tough break for veteran Anthony Cirelli.”

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Elliotte Friedman also reported, “Team Canada is making an injury change for the upcoming Olympics. Sam Bennett will replace Anthony Cirelli. Very sorry for Cirelli, who was injured on Sunday.”

When Cirelli was injured on Monday, head coach for both Tampa and Team Canada, Jon Cooper, did not say if the injury would affect Cirelli’s status for Team Canada. Clearly, it had. Cooper added that they have some time to evaluate it before any decisions have to be made, but news must have come out that Cirelli obviously won’t be ready.

Cirelli, 28, sustained the injury in Tampa Bay’s Stadium Series win over the Boston Bruins. He took a hard hit from Bruins forward Mark Kastelic in the first period and didn’t return to the game.

The choice then came down to a few forwards, with Bennett being the favorite based on his participation at 4 Nations and style of play. This season, he has 19 goals and 42 points in 55 games.

Bennett’s selection leaves players like Zach Hyman and Connor Bedard still excluded. Both could have been good fits for the team, particularly Hyman, who has played extremely well of late, has chemistry with Connor McDavid, and can play in any role on any line.

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