In the spring of 2009, played a vital role in the Kelowna Rockets害羞草研究所� run to their third Western Hockey League championship.

Nine seasons later, with the memories still vivid, the Victoria-born forward was back on the ice at Prospera Place this week for a pair of practises with his Dallas Stars.

害羞草研究所淚 was telling the guys, I think the last time I skated on this ice was in overtime (2009) when we won the WHL title,害羞草研究所� said Benn, the captain of the Stars. 害羞草研究所淚t was a great experience.害羞草研究所�

Following Monday害羞草研究所檚 game in Vancouver, Benn and the NHL club made a two-day stopover in Kelowna, before heading to Winnipeg to play the Jets on Thursday night.

Now the captain of the Stars, Benn said he害羞草研究所檒l always value his time spent in Kelowna with the Rockets害羞草研究所� organization.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 definitely nice being back,害羞草研究所� said Benn who scored 79 goals in 107 games over two seasons with Kelowna. 害羞草研究所淚 was excited to come here when I talked about it with Hitch (coach Ken Hitchcock).

害羞草研究所淭his city and this team turned me into more of a man and a better hockey player,害羞草研究所� added Benn. 害羞草研究所淭ime has flown by, I remember living and playing here like it was yesterday. I have so many great memories here.害羞草研究所�

As one of just 18 players depicted on the Rockets害羞草研究所� Wall of Recognition inside Prospera Place, Benn clearly left his mark on the organization害羞草研究所攅ven though he remains humble about the recognition to this day.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 know how I got up there,害羞草研究所� Benn joked with a smile. 害羞草研究所淚 must have been nice to the people of this city and this team.害羞草研究所�

Stars coach Ken Hitchcock, who knows Kelowna well, was complimentary of both the city and the hometown Rockets.

害羞草研究所淭his is a big city now, this is a growing city,害羞草研究所� Hitchcock said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 very vibrant. You have one of the best rinks in the league, one of the best franchises in the league, and the whole city itself feels like a major league city.害羞草研究所�

Hitchcock said staying in a downtown hotel near the rink and having easy access to other amenities this week provided a relaxing and enjoyable environment for his players.

害羞草研究所淚 think there害羞草研究所檚 something said when you walk to the rink and you don害羞草研究所檛 have cars and busses, you walk to dinner, you walk to the rink, you walk to the hotel. I think there害羞草研究所檚 a lot to say for that, the players get to hang together.害羞草研究所�

One player who didn害羞草研究所檛 expect to be involved in the Stars害羞草研究所� plans this week was former West Kelowna Warriors害羞草研究所� goaltender Tyler Briggs.

Due to an injury to one of their netminders, the NHL club called on Briggs to suit up for Tuesday害羞草研究所檚 practise, an experience the Kelowna resident won害羞草研究所檛 soon forget.

害羞草研究所淲hat a cool experience for him,害羞草研究所� Jamie Benn said of Briggs, who played for West Kelowna during the 2012-13 BCHL season. 害羞草研究所淚 must be pretty nice when you害羞草研究所檝e got (Jason) Spezza, (Alex) Radulov and (Tyler) Seguin coming down and shooting on you. He made some big saves, I think he robbed Spezza pretty bad out there, so we害羞草研究所檒l give him a hard time about that.害羞草研究所�

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .