Jamie Benn marks milestone in NHL

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn, overlooked until the fifth round of the 2007 draft, said he has surprised even himself by skating into history Monday night as the 358th player, and fifth from the Island, to play 1,000 NHL regular-season games.

“When I first came down here, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” said the Central Saanich-raised forward, in a media scrum in Dallas, following the pre-game skate before playing the Anaheim Ducks.

“I was the new kid on the block in a new city. It’s a pretty special day [Monday].”

As it should be, as the Peninsula Eagles Minor Hockey Association graduate joined Rod Brind’Amour of Campbell River (top-25 all-time with 1,484 NHL games played), Doug Bodger of Chemainus (1,071) and Victoria-raised brothers Geoff Courtnall (1,048) and Russ Courtnall (1,029) as the Island players in the NHL 1,000-game club.

“It means a lot [to do it with one team]. I always wanted to be a Star for life. I don’t see myself putting on any other jersey,” said Benn.

“When growing up wanting to be an NHL player, you probably don’t see yourself in Dallas, Texas. But I’ve loved every moment of it. It’s been a lot of fun,” added the Peninsula Panthers and Victoria Grizzlies junior graduate.

When the time came, Benn was the natural choice as Stars captain: “I was ready to be captain and wanted to be captain. Time flies and here we are. It’s been a great honour.”

The Island product recalls the Stars of yore, especially James Neal, who helped him out when he first began his NHL career and now Benn wants to pay it forward.

“I always remember that and want to do the same,” said Benn.

“[Neal] was one of first Stars I met in prospects camp. He was a great person willing to do anything for the new kids here.”

Despite playing with a physical edge at six-foot-two and 205 pounds, Benn has amazingly only missed 45 games in 14 NHL seasons.

“That is particularly impressive with the game he plays,” said Stars head coach Pete DeBoer, in his pre-game news conference.

“It’s a real exclusive club [1,000 NHL games] and for a reason. It’s such an accomplishment. It means you’ve had a level of excellence for what you do over an extended period of time. I’ve got a lot of respect for the guys in that club because every year every team goes out and drafts the next group of the best players in the world in that age group. Jamie has had about 15 years of the best players of each age group trying to take your job. He is still playing at an elite level. It’s incredible to me … the significance of 1,000 NHL games and the way those guys have played so well for so long. To do it in one jersey is even more impressive considering the day and age. [Playing for only one team] used to be common but now it’s really uncommon.”

From country to club, Benn won 2009 world junior championship and 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics gold with Canada and has amassed 348 goals and 465 assists for 813 regular-season NHL points.

“I know he’s won a scoring title and been Hart Trophy [MVP finalist] but Jamie has always been about the intangibles,” said DeBoer.

“The leadership and intangibles he brings far outweigh the other things and that’s the stuff you don’t really see and can’t put a measure on. Maybe some of the numbers fell off a bit from when he was playing on Olympic teams and [finalist] for Hart Trophies. Everybody said he’s not at that level anymore. The most impressive thing is I believe he’s still at that level and he’s shown that this year.”

Benn, 33, is proving he’s still got it with 19 goals and 44 points in 51 games this season to put the Stars on path to the playoffs.

“Hopefully, we’ve a good thing going here,” said Benn.

“Let’s see what happens in the second half of the season. It’s about accountability.”

And accountable is one thing Benn has always been — to himself and to the Stars.