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Jordie Benn cracks Stars’ NHL lineup

Homeboy and ex-Victoria Salmon Kings and Grizzlies player debuts with the Dallas Stars in the NHL
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
Salmon Kings first home games againnst Stockton
Jordie Benn is the latest Victoria Salmon King and will likely be the only homegrown player

For Jamie Benn, the route was fast. Junior B to junior A to major junior and the NHL. For older brother Jordie, there was some question as to his ability at the pro level.

Five seasons after the Benn brothers skated together with the Victoria Grizzlies, 24-year-old defenceman Jordie has joined his 22-year-old brother Jamie with the Dallas Stars.

Jordie logged 16 minutes and 31 seconds in his NHL debut for Dallas against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday (Jan. 3). He also recorded his first NHL point, with both him and Jamie assisting on Loui Eriksson’s first period goal.

Back in 2008-09, Jordie was the seventh – sometimes the eighth – defencemen for the Victoria Salmon Kings. His adjustment to the pro game was slow, but steady.

He then followed Jamie to the Stars’ organization in 2009-10, and ended up with the Central Hockey League’s Allen Americans, a step below the ECHL. But Jordie quietly climbed to the NHL through the AHL Texas Stars.

When Jamie heard he’d be playing with his brother on Monday, he ponied up to pay for both parents, Randy and Heather, to fly to Dallas.

The Central Saanich brothers are the second pair of siblings to play for the Stars, with Derian and Kevin Hatcher the last pair. They're also the second pair of BCHL brothers to play in the NHL, following Paul and Steve Kariya.