The good news is Jamie Benn was named first team All-Western Hockey League.
The Stars' top prospect, Benn had 46 goals and 36 assists for 82 points in 56 games. He also was plus-27.
He is helping a strong Kelowna team as it enters the WHL playoffs against Kamloops _ and he could develop quite a bit if he could help his team on a long playoff run. Many believe James Neal really stepped forward (13 goals, 12 assists in 20 playoff games) when he helped Plymouth win the Memorial Cup in 2007.
On the bad side, remember that David McIntyre kid the Stars traded to Anaheim to get Brian Sutherby earlier this season?
Well, he's one of the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award this year for top player in NCAA hockey.
McIntyre has 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points in 37 games at Colgate. He also was plus-19.
Oh well, at least Sutherby is looking like a pretty sure thing right now
On a collegiate side note, Stars prospect and Dallas native Austin Smith is also playing well on that Colgate team with 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points.
On a junior note, the Western scouts are uncovering some gems.
In addition to Benn (taken 129th in 2007), they have: Colton Sceviour (112th in 2007) who has 27-50_77 in 66 games for Lethbridge; Matt Tassone (176th in 2008) who has 36-19_55 in 52 games for Swift Current; and Ondrej Roman (136th in 2007) who has 9-20_29 in 29 games for Spokane.
_Mike Heika
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