Article: Adam Benak Scores Must-See Goal in OHL Debut

[Thomas Williams]

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[Pewterschmidt]

We just spent the last 3-4 years hyping Yurov, Ogz, Khuz, Haight, Bankier etc.  They're looking like AHL all-stars so far. 

Let's not start already with the Czech Chigger.

[Scalptrash]

It was cool until his teammates surrounded him and he was a foot shorter than all of them.

[mnfaninnc]

Who are the Brantford Bulldogs? The OHL team in the Eastern Conference won its division last season, but bowed out in what appears to be the 2nd round of the playoffs. The OHL has 4 divisions and 2 conferences, where powerhouse London Knights pretty much rule.

Brantford is a pretty talented team. Benak wears #9, is the 2nd shortest and 3rd lightest player on the team. Of interest, there is a 7' defenseman playing on the team weighing in at 278. Alexander Karmanov is his name, a 17 year old who appears to be from Moldova. Probably only needs 1 stride to cover the side boards and 3 strides to cover the length of the ice. This also means he's got 3" on Chara. 

Benak has only played in 1 game, though Brantford has played 3 (2-0-1). They are currently in 2nd place in their division. It just seems too early for hockey leagues to start. Brantford has several Cs on their roster, but putting up 4 points in your 1st game, probably earns you an extra bit of playing time. 

As for Karmanov, he came over to the States and played at WB-Scranton for 2 years in the 16U leagues. He hasn't suited up yet for Brantford. He appears to be committed to Penn State in '27. It might be a good idea for the Wild scouts to scout Benak a lot, and include this kid on their radar. At 7', his skating is probably really rough and it will likely take him a long time to develop, but if he does, look out. 

So, in essence here, we have a real David and Goliath story. Benak can probaby skate through Karmanov's legs. This time, they're on the same team.

[mnfaninnc]

8 minutes ago, Scalptrash said:

It was cool until his teammates surrounded him and he was a foot shorter than all of them.

While this may sound disappointing, Brantford has several guys listed at 6'1" and 6'2". They're kind of a tall team overall. All their goalies are tall too. 

[Pewterschmidt]

44 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

We just spent the last 3-4 years hyping Yurov, Ogz, Khuz, Haight, Bankier etc.  They're looking like AHL all-stars so far. 

Let's not start already with the Czech Chigger.

Even though this little dynamo showed more in camp at 18 y.o. than Ogz, Yurov AND Haight.  

Ok, I'll stop now.  I'm just recovering from my Post Traumatic Hype Disorder.

[mnfaninnc]

PTHD is a real thing. P-Shaken needs therapy! Step into Mooch's office!

[mnfaninnc]

Just perusing the schedule as we're getting close. Jeez, October's got 3 b2bs and one of them is a 3/4. 

I wonder if we should be doing a wellness check on ODC and Protec. Perhaps Protec's cousin No Jo knows how he's doing? 

[Citizen Strife]

The Wild dominated the opening road trip last year (and road in general), so who knows what'll happen.

[mnfaninnc]

41 games played at December 31st. That's a short 1st half of the season. I know there is Olympic break but wow, that's a lot. 

The trade deadline isn't until March 6th. I would think that by the end of December just about every team will know what they need. I'm thinking trades will be pretty early this season.

[MrCheatachu]

1 hour ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Even though this little dynamo showed more in camp at 18 y.o. than Ogz, Yurov AND Haight.  

Ok, I'll stop now.  I'm just recovering from my Post Traumatic Hype Disorder.

Benak's only 18, so there's a chance he might make it to 5'8 instead of 5'7

Just make sure he's playing against the Alex DeBrincat (5'7), Logan Stankoven (5'8), Cole Caulfield (5'8) or Brad Marchand (5'9) and not on the same line as Zucarello (also, 5'7) and Rossi (5'9) and we might have something...

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

Just perusing the schedule as we're getting close. Jeez, October's got 3 b2bs and one of them is a 3/4. 

I wonder if we should be doing a wellness check on ODC and Protec. Perhaps Protec's cousin No Jo knows how he's doing? 

You didn’t hear it from me but I think ODC is amongst us again too

[mnfaninnc]

21 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

You didn’t hear it from me but I think ODC is amongst us again too

Should I be looking for something like Old Doritos Chip?

[Pewterschmidt]

16 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Should I be looking for something like Old Doritos Chip?

Scalptrash.   But you didn’t hear it from me. 

[mnfaninnc]

To me, the 2 don't sound the same. 

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

To me, the 2 don't sound the same. 

Kinder gentler off-season ODC

[Pewterschmidt]

Kubel cut today per Russo.  Surprised Leason gets a longer look than kubel.  Both are traffic cones but I would have given this horse race to kubel 

Edited 3 hours ago by Pewterschmidt

[Enforceror]

50 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

Kubel cut today per Russo.  Surprised Leason gets a longer look than kubel.  Both are traffic cones but I would have given this horse race to kubel 

Interesting that Hater is still with the team. Could he be pushing Yurov out of a spot?

[mnhockeyfan03]

Bummer lambos got sent down.  He is ready.  Spacek is as well.  2 old guys in Johnson and Bogo holding them back.  He is every bit as good as Jack Johnson and was ready to play.  Hopefully the don’t make the same mistakes with forwards.  Haight is ready and has outplayed Oghren, Yurov and Vinnie.  To me Haight and Pitkick should stay. 

[Pewterschmidt]

2 minutes ago, Enforceror said:

Interesting that Hater is still with the team. Could he be pushing Yurov out of a spot?

This fan thinks that the team is committed to keeping Yurov on team regardless of his tepid performance.  He goes to Iowa in December if he’s still a complete passenger after couple months.  Haight showed some flashes last night and only makes roster if Nico “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” Sturm cannot get back into lineup.  Haight isn’t kicking the door down but he looks like a more competent hockey player than yurov at this point.

[Pewterschmidt]

4 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Bummer lambos got sent down.  He is ready.

I agree on lambos.  I think he’ll be an early injury call up.  I thought space-x was hit and miss

[M_Nels]

16 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

Bummer lambos got sent down.  He is ready.  Spacek is as well.

Have not been super impressed with Spacek, don't think he could shoulder 3rd pair minutes in an actual NHL game and he's not beating out Jiricek or Bogo at this point. Lambos on the other hand looks ready and could very easily slot into 3rd pair. 

Would think he's going to be the first call-up if/when an injury occurs 

[mnhockeyfan03]

28 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I agree on lambos.  I think he’ll be an early injury call up.  I thought space-x was hit and miss

Agree lambos more ready than Spacek but to me Lambos outplayed Bogo and Johnson and deserves a spot.  Spacek was very close to on par with Bogo so I would rather see the kids play and develop and get nhl coaching than Old guys Bogo and Johnson who shouldn’t have spot on a contending team.  I don’t have high hopes in the development system in Iowa.  I don’t think their strength training or on ice coaching is up to par. I really wish they would have hired Dan Bylsma for Iowa and Pete Deboar to coach the Wild but neither are pushovers so Billy can’t control them and I think he likes control.