User:GhostRiver/bennett

Beau Bennett (born November 27, 1991) is an American former professional ice hockey winger. Between 2012 and 2020, he played six seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, and St. Louis Blues, and one season with HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Early life
Bennett was born on November 27, 1991, in Gardena, California, to Kurt and Louanna Bennett. When the house next to his childhood home was foreclosed on, his father purchased the property and built a sport court for Bennett and his siblings to play. A fan of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), Bennett spent his childhood with the Jr. Kings, their minor ice hockey affiliate. As a member of the Jr. Kings, Bennett participated in the 2003 and 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. After his time with the Jr. Kings and California Selects, Bennett joined the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the 2009–10 season, where he led the league with 120 points in 56 regular season games, including 41 goals.

NCAA
Following his season in Penticton, Bennett signed a National Letter of Intent, committing to playing college ice hockey for the Denver Pioneers. He joined the Pioneers for their 2010–11 season, earning his first collegiate point with an assist against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on October 29. His first goal came on November 13, in Denver's 6–1 victory over the Minnesota State Mavericks. Bennett suffered a right knee sprain on December 3, in Denver's 5-4 overtime win against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. The injury sidelined him until January 14, when he returned for a 4-4 tie against Minnesota State.


 * 2010-11
 * 2011-12

Pittsburgh Penguins (2012–2016)
Leading up to the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked Bennett 32nd among all North American skaters. The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Bennett in the first round, 20th overall, making him the highest-drafted player from California in NHL history.


 * 2012-13
 * 2013-14
 * 2014-15
 * 2015-16

New Jersey Devils (2016–2017)

 * 2016-17

St. Louis Blues (2017–2018)
On July 1, 2017, the St. Louis Blues signed Bennett to a one-year, $650,000 contract.


 * 2017-18

Dinamo Minsk (2018–2019)

 * 2018-19

Tucson Roadrunners (2019–2020)

 * 2019-20

Retirement
Bennett announced his retirement from professional ice hockey on June 25, 2021, at the age of 29. In his Twitter statement, he cited the extensive injuries that he had received throughout his career, writing that "sometimes it is important to listen to your body so it is time for me to retire". Bennett finished his career with 24 goals and 64 points in 200 NHL games. Following his retirement, he worked as a youth hockey coach through ProMentor.

International play

 * WJAC