Sam Bennett Replaces Injured Anthony Cirelli on Team Canada for Olympics
Team Canada has announced a significant change to its Olympic lineup. Sam Bennett, a forward with the Florida Panthers, will take the place of the injured Anthony Cirelli from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Injury Update: Anthony Cirelli
Anthony Cirelli sustained an injury during the recent Stadium Series game against the Boston Bruins. This incident occurred with less than two minutes remaining in the first period, as he suffered an open-ice hit from Mark Kastelic. Post-game, the Lightning’s head coach described Cirelli’s injury as “kind of a stinger.”
Player Statistics: Cirelli and Bennett
- Anthony Cirelli: 28 years old, has played 49 games this season, recording 15 goals and 20 assists.
- Sam Bennett: 29 years old, has participated in 55 games this season, scoring 19 goals and providing 23 assists.
Sam Bennett’s Olympic Opportunity
For Bennett, this opportunity marks another chance to represent Canada on the international level. He was notably left off the original Olympic roster, which raised eyebrows given his performance. Bennett previously contributed to Canada’s gold medal win at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February.
The substitution of Cirelli with Bennett highlights the ongoing adjustments that Team Canada must make as they prepare for the Winter Olympics. Fans will be eager to see how Bennett performs in this crucial role.
