Sam Bennett’s positive impact on the South Florida community

Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins was a special one for Sam Bennett. The Canadian forward played his 700th NHL matchup, recording two hits, three shots, and 36.4 percent of faceoff wins. Despite a significant achievement, he is one of the most humble and quiet players in the league, known for being reserved off the ice but very generous in his charity work.

A former forward of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs was selected in the first round (4th overall) by the Calgary Flames in 2014. He was once known for his inability to complete pullups during the pre-draft NHL Combine. Before being traded to the Florida Panthers in April 2021, he couldn’t live up to his high draft ranking or achieve a leadership status within the Calgary Flames organization.

Failures didn’t stop him. He has become a valuable force and one of the most dominating players for his new team. After being named the MVP of the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals and signing a new heavyweight eight-year extension worth $64 million (AVV of $8 million), Sam Bennett had a great summer, got married, and celebrated his day with the Cup at the Humane Society of Broward County.

Off Ice

Not only did Sam and his then-fiancée adopt a dog from HSBC, but they also founded the Benny’s Buddies charity program on Oct. 24, 2024. Every time Bennett scored, the fund sponsored the adoption fees of pets at the HSBC. His involvement attracted local media and fans for good reasons.

Sam and Zoe Bennett didn’t stop there. Many hockey families mark their special day with the Stanley Cup by eating various meals from it, putting babies inside, or having parties with friends. Newlyweds used their time with the trophy wisely, bringing it to the shelter in Fort Lauderdale. They also announced that the “goal = adoption” formula will continue into the new season. By the beginning of September, 38 animals were adopted through the Benny’s Buddies fund, according to NHL.com.

So, Sam Bennett’s goals are crucial for the Panthers, fans, and even local pets.

On Ice

Some may look at Bennett’s current stats and point out a slow start: one goal, one assist, a plus/minus of -9, and 46.9 percent of faceoff wins in nine games. During a recent road game against the Bruins, Bennett and Reinhart spent some ice time sorting things out and roughing with a 6-foot-5 defenseman, Nikita Zadorov.

The Panthers’ center and the Bruins’ blueliner have had some unfinished business from last March. Their mutual intervention wasn’t surprising. The Panthers’ initial scoring came from the bottom six (Samoskevich and Greer) rather than the top six. But it worked in terms of the result for the visiting team, 4-3. The Cats earned their first away win, following four defeats.

As for Sam Bennett, expectations are very high. Last season, he logged 51 (25+26) points in 76 regular-season games and 22 (15+7) in 23 playoff games. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy and back-to-back championships with the Florida Panthers. It was Bennett’s ninth and the best playoff run in his NHL career.

Overall, he had four efforts with the Calgary Flames and five with the Florida Panthers, which include three consecutive finals and two Stanley Cups. Bennett’s playoff stats are strong: 107 games, 40 goals, 38 assists, 298 shots, 178 PIM, and a plus/minus of +11.

But digging into more details, his seasonal plus/minus contribution has always been inconsistent. Out of his previous 12 NHL years, eight were finished with a negative difference. In 2024-2025, it was -15. But history shows that he will get better before the postseason.

Another vital factor to remember is the 2026 Olympics in Italy. The NHL will participate at the global stage for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. For many players, it’s an exciting and unfamiliar opportunity to travel overseas and represent their national teams during the short-span tournament.

So, slow starts could be a planned decline before breakthrough moments. On the other hand, who can condemn the Panthers and their leaders, including Sam Bennett, for hitting some bumps on the road after back-to-back championships?!

Just give them some time………