Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jordie Benn has decided to hang up his skates for good to conclude a 12-year NHL career.
From going undrafted to playing in 607 NHL games – congratulations to Jordie Benn on officially hanging them up. Wishing Jordie the best of luck ahead! pic.twitter.com/BIq6P3mnIF
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) September 10, 2024
Despite being undrafted, Benn was able to amass a 607-game career in the best league in the world. He ranks 95th for most career games played among undrafted defencemen. Benn was able to get into that many games because was a stay-at-home defender who could shut down the opposition with sound positioning or a punishing check while also being willing to drop the gloves.
Benn played the vast majority of his career as a member of the Dallas Stars, where he played parts of six seasons alongside his younger brother Jamie Benn. He also suited up for the Montreal Canadiens (where he had his career high in points), Vancouver Canucks, Jets, Minnesota Wild, and Leafs.
Benn’s stint in Toronto came during his final season in North America during the 2022-23 campaign where he split time between the NHL and AHL. He ended up playing in 12 games for the Leafs where he recorded two points (a goal and an assist), though that one goal he scored was quite memorable as he did it in his debut appearance with the team that proved to be the game-winner against the Canucks on HNIC.
JORDIE BENN 🚨
FIRST GAME AND FIRST AS A LEAF! pic.twitter.com/PUUoZ7zfb3
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 13, 2022
He ultimately spent the majority of the season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies by appearing in 23 games and registering six points (two goals and four assists). Benn also played in seven AHL playoff games that year where he put up three assists before exiting the organization via free agency. He opted to conclude his career with Brynas IF in Sweden where he helped them capture promotion back to the SHL before calling it a day on his playing days.
In total, Benn was able to register 137 points (26 goals and 111 assists) across the 607 career games played. He also got to appear in the playoffs five times while playing in 23 games and recording four assists in that span.
