Team MVP Bennefield Signs with Bees for 2009-10
The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League (CHL) today announced that left wing Jesse Bennefield has signed with the club for the 2009-10 hockey season. Bennefield led the Killer Bees in scoring last season and earned the team's Most Valuable Player award.
"Jesse bought into the culture I created and was a critical part of the success of our team. Next season I will continue to look to Jesse to be a bigger part of our team in leading us where we need to be," Killer Bee Head Coach Chris Brooks said. "With both Jesse and Jay Hardwick signed, I am confident I have two players that know the expectations I have for the2009-10 season."
Bennefield, who turns 28 in July, led RGV with a team-record 71 points on 35 goals and 36 assists last season. His plus-23 rating led the team and was a franchise-best. He set a franchise record with points (9-7-16) in 12 straight games (Dec. 30-Jan. 24), led the team with seven game-winning goals, had at least a point in all but 16 games and finished second on the team with 16 multi-point games.
His 35 goals tied him for third in the CHL while his 71 points placed him in the top-12.
The Calgary native split the 2007-08 season between the ECHL and Austria. He began 2007-08 with the Stockton Thunder (ECHL) before a trade sent him to the Bakersfield Condors. In 23 ECHL games, the 6-foot, 195-pound left wing collected 15 points (7-8-15) and 68 PIM. He departed for Austria's Zell am See Icebreakers in December and appeared in 16 games, generating 16 goals and nine helpers (16-9-25) and 48 PIM.
He began his professional career in 2005-06 with the San Diego Gulls (ECHL) and had a career-best 60 points (30-30-60) and 118 PIM in 63 games. He led San Diego and ranked fourth among ECHL rookies in goals (30), and ranked second on the Gulls in assists (30). His outstanding play earned him a spot on the National Conference roster at the 2006 ECHL All-Star Game. He collected an assist in the game and won the "Fastest Skater" event (individual category, 14.576 seconds) at the ECHL All-Star Game Skills Competition.
Bennefield moved on to the Rockford IceHogs (UHL) in 2006-07 after San Diego ceased operations and produced 44 points (22-22-44) and 107 PIM in 52 games. He also added a goal and one assist in Rockford's UHL playoff run that culminated with the Colonial Cup Championship. His solid play that season earned him two promotions to the American Hockey League. He appeared in two games with the Milwaukee Admirals and in four with the Iowa Stars, totaling two assists and four PIM.
In all, Bennefield has averaged nearly a point-per-game over the course of his pro career, collecting 217 points (110-107-217) in 223 regular season games while adding 432 PIM. He has also appeared in 20 postseason games, posting 10 points (6-4-10) and 26 PIM.
The Killer Bees return to Dodge Arena ice this October for their seventh season in the CHL. Season tickets are available now by calling 956-843-PUCK (7825).
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Team MVP Bennefield Signs with Bees for 2009-10
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