The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. Jordie Benn is hanging up the skates. The former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman retired from playing hockey on Tuesday after 12 seasons in the NHL, Benn told CHEK's Paul Haysom [https://cheknews.ca/victorias-jordie-benn-retires-from-professional-hockey-1209246/]. “It’s a weird feeling that training camp is not around the corner, but it’s been a really fun ride,” Benn told the publication. The 6-foot-2 defenseman from Victoria, B.C., went undrafted in the NHL and went on to play 607 NHL games where he scored 111 goals, had 137 assists and collected 244 penalty minutes. After stops with the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Benn to a one-year deal in the summer before the 2022-23 season. Brought in to provide veteran presence and physicality on the blue line, Benn primarily served in a supporting role, stepping in when injuries occurred among the Leafs' defensive core. Benn appeared in only 12 games for the Leafs during the season and scored his only goal of the season in his first game of the season, against his old team, the Canucks [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWUrWEwm-gs[/embed] .While not a major contributor offensively, Benn's physicality and shot-blocking were valuable when called upon and his personality was positively received in the locker room. Last season, Benn played in the Sweden with Brynas IF. He had three goals and 19 assists in 22 games and helped them win the HockeyAllsvenskan championship and get the club promoted to the Swedish Hockey League for this season. Before heading to Europe, Benn did land a professional tryout with the Stars. While in Europe, Benn captained Team Canada's entry in the 2023 Spengler Cup tournament, in Davos, Switzerland. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten Among Maple Leafs Named to Toronto's Prospects Showdown Roster in Montreal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/easton-cowan-fraser-minten-among-maple-leafs-named-to-torontos-prospects-showdown-roster-in-montreal] Report: Max Pacioretty and Jani Hakanpaa Next for Maple Leafs to Add to Roster Ahead of Training Camp Following Singing of Nick Robertson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-max-pacioretty-and-jani-hakanpaa-next-for-maple-leafs-to-add-to-roster-ahead-of-training-camp-following-singing-of-nick-robertson] Why Nick Robertson Broke His Stalemate With the Maple Leafs by Signing a One-Year Deal Ahead of Training Camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-nick-robertson-ended-broke-his-stalemate-with-the-maple-leafs-by-signing-a-one-year-deal-ahead-of-training-camp] News from THN.com Eight More NHL Goalies with New Creative Masks Ahead of the 2024-25 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/news/eight-more-nhl-goalies-with-new-creative-masks-ahead-of-the-2024-25-season] 'Universally Adored': Blue Jackets Players, GM Express Grief At Loss of Johnny Gaudreau, Brother [https://thehockeynews.com/news/universally-adored-blue-jackets-players-gm-express-grief-at-loss-of-johnny-gaudreau-brother] Opinion: Bruins Fans Should Feel Fortunate GM Sweeney Is On Case In Swayman Contract Saga [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-the-bruins-should-feel-fortunate-gm-sweeney-is-handling-swaymans-contract-saga]
