A familiar face was missing from Flames practice on Saturday as the team announced that forward Sam Bennett was deemed unfit to participate. No specific reason was given as to why Bennett didn't take the ice as the Flames continue to prepare for the 2020-21 season.
Bennett, 24, was drafted in the first round, fourth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In 364 regular season games, Bennett has put up 128 points (63 G, 65 A), 300 penalty minutes, and is a -53. In 30 career playoff games, he's tallied 19 points (11 G, 8 A), 38 penalty minutes, and is a +/-0.
Internationally, Bennett has represented Canada on a couple of occasions, most recently at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. In 5 games, he had 4 points (3 G, 1 A), 6 penalty minutes, and was a +3, as Canada went on to win the gold medal by defeating the United States in the Final.
In other Flames news, the team also announced on Saturday that they've signed forward Brett Ritchie to a PTO. The Orangeville, Ontario native has suited up in 268 career games for the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins. In those 268 games, he's put up 60 points (35 G, 25 A), 177 penalty minutes, and is a -2. Ritchie will likely find himself a spot on the Flames taxi squad once the season begins.
The Flames will kick-off their 2020-21 campaign on January 14th in Winnipeg taking on the Jets.
#Flames Camp Update: Sam Bennett will not skate today (unfit to participate).
In addition, forward Justin Kirkland has been assigned to the @AHLHeat and forward Brett Ritchie has been signed to a PTO.— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) January 9, 2021
