Why Sam Bennett Didn’t “Do Enough” to Make Team Canada

The media caught up with Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett this weekend and asked him about his response to being left off the Team Canada roster. “Obviously pretty disappointed,” he noted. He added, “I wish I could have proved that I could help that team win a gold medal.”

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For whatever reason, those left with making that decision are getting creamed by media, fans, and analysts, many of whom think they made a mistake. Bennett may still wind up there based on the rash of injuries since the announcement, but that he wasn’t initially selected has people wondering.

“I Didn’t Do Enough”

“Obviously, I didn’t do enough, but you know I try to look at what I’m grateful for, and that’s that opportunity I had last year that was probably the proudest moment of my career, getting to put on that jersey. So yeah, I’m going to be forever grateful for that opportunity, and yeah, now we just focus on this season.”

When asked what more he could have done, Bennett responded, “That choice was left up to, in other people’s hands… obviously I didn’t do enough.” He helped Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off last year and went on to help his Florida Panthers win their second straight Stanley Cup championship. In the process, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP. Bennett has 14 goals and 31 points through the first half of this season.

“I can only look at myself.’’

Theories About Why He Was Left Off Team Canada

The GM of the team, Doug Armstrong, said that it wasn’t about players playing their way off, but that others played their way on. In Bennett’s case, that’s a tough pill to swallow. He’d won the Conn Smythe, was a Stanley Cup Champion, and was having a career-best season. He did his job.

But, fans have other ideas.

“Blame the coach Cooper for snubbing him he has a bloody grudge against the guy,” wrote one fan. They added, “One of the following: Branden Hagel, Cirelli, Suzuki, or Horvat could have been left off over him.”

Another wrote, “The “F— McDavid” chants after winning the cup sealed his fate, he’s been shunned by McJesus.” Then again, because Brad Marchand is on the team, that one is a bit tough to buy. Another teammate, Sam Reinhart, is also there.

Another suggested, “Leaders of the team didn’t want him there. And there’s a reason for that, and it’s not cuz he ain’t good enough. That should tell you everything you need to know about Sam Bennett.” The origin of this theory is unknown. Bennett is a tough guy to play against, but there has not been a documented instance where teammates or leaders have had anything bad to say about Bennett while on their team. IN fact, Reinhart said, “At the end of the day, it’s out of our control. I will say, I have played with him for years. He’s a guy that you will go to war with any day of the week.”

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