Vancouver Giants star Tyler Benson hasn’t played since December 30 due to a lower-body injury. The 17 year-old forward was slated to captain Team Cherry at the upcoming CHL BMO/NHL Top Prospects game.
But due to the injury, Benson has been forced to sit on the sidelines during the annual event, that showcases the best CHL draft-eligible prospects in front of scouts and fans alike. To make matters worse, the Top Prospects game is in Benson’s Vancouver Giants home Pacific Coliseum.
Benson will be replaced by Giants teammate Ty Ronning, who’s having a pretty good year with 41 points.
Sarnia Sting defensemen Jakob Chychrun will step-up to wear the “C” for Team Cherry.
A Rough Draft Year
Benson had injury troubles before the season even began, having to have surgery performed to remove a cyst near his tailbone, that forced the captain of the Giants to miss the first month of the 2015-2016 season.
And now he finds himself not able to participate in the upcoming Top Prospects game due to a lower-body injury, a huge blow for any draft-eligible player in the CHL.
Tyler Benson, on Ty Ronning replacing him in Prospects: "I am very happy for Ty. He should have been there the first place." @WHLGiants
— Steve Ewen (@SteveEwen) January 25, 2016
The Stars Collide
The BMO/NHL Top Prospects game takes place January 28, in Vancouver, British Colombia.
Head Coaches Bobby Orr and Don Cherry look to take their squads, featuring some of the most elite players in the CHL up against each other in front of NHL scouts, and viewers on Sportsnet.
#BMOTP Roster Changes:
Ronning replaces Benson
Chychrun is Cherry Captain
Dube new Alternatehttps://t.co/ZMs3JshnqY pic.twitter.com/Aqkn8bU12f— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 25, 2016