Beau Bennett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Beau Bennett
Bennett with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2013
Born	(1991-11-27) November 27, 1991 (age 33) Gardena, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Forward
Shot	Right
Played for	Pittsburgh Penguins New Jersey Devils St. Louis Blues Dinamo Minsk
NHL Draft	20th overall, 2010 Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career	2012–2020

Beau Daniel Bennett (born November 27, 1991) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played as a forward, which means he was one of the players who try to score goals.

Beau Bennett was picked by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the 2010 NHL entry draft. He was the 20th player chosen overall. This made him the highest-drafted player ever from California who also learned to play hockey there. He also became the first California-born player to win the Stanley Cup in 2016 with the Penguins. However, his name was not carved onto the Cup because he didn't play enough games that season.

Beau Bennett's Hockey Journey

Early Hockey Days

Beau Bennett started playing inline hockey, which is like ice hockey but on roller skates. Later, he switched to playing ice hockey full-time. He even played in big tournaments like the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 2003 and 2004.

Junior League Success

In June 2009, Beau decided to play for the Penticton Vees in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Even though he was a rookie, he quickly became a key player on the team's top scoring line.

Beau had a fantastic start to his season. He was chosen to play for the United States team in the 2009 World Junior A Challenge. He helped his team win a gold medal, scoring three goals and four points. When he returned to Penticton, he kept scoring, getting 10 goals and 10 assists in just nine games.

In December 2009, he was named the top forward at a special game for future hockey stars. By January 2010, he was playing in the BCHL All-Star Game.

Towards the end of the 2009–10 season, Beau switched to playing center, a position he had never played before. He did great, scoring four points in the last regular season game. This helped him tie for the league's scoring title with 120 points!

In the playoffs, his team faced the Vernon Vipers. In one exciting game, it went into triple overtime. Beau scored a goal to tie the game. Then, he made an amazing play to set up the winning goal. He faked a shot, then passed the puck backwards through his skates to a teammate, who scored! Even though his team lost the series, Beau was named the BCHL's Rookie of the Year. He also won awards for being the Vees' top scorer and rookie.

College Hockey Career

Beau went on to play college hockey for the University of Denver. In his first year (2010–11), he played 37 games and scored 25 points. He had several games where he scored two or more points.

In his second year (2011–12), he played 10 games and scored 13 points. Unfortunately, he injured his wrist during practice and had to miss many games. He needed surgery to fix a torn tendon in his wrist. Even with the injury, he was recognized for his good grades.

On April 13, 2012, Beau signed a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He finished his college career with 38 points in 47 games.

Professional Hockey Journey

Beau Bennett was called up to the NHL on February 14, 2013. He played his first NHL game the very next day against the Winnipeg Jets. On February 24, he scored his first NHL goal. He even scored a goal in his first-ever playoff game on May 1.

During the 2013–14 season, Beau broke his wrist in a game. He had surgery and returned to play four months later. In his return game, he scored the winning goal for the Penguins!

On June 12, 2016, Beau made history. He became the first player born and trained in California to win the Stanley Cup. He won it with the Penguins when they beat the San Jose Sharks. He played 33 games that season, but only one playoff game because of injuries. This is why his name wasn't engraved on the Stanley Cup.

After winning the Cup, Beau was traded to the New Jersey Devils in June 2016. He played one season with them.

In July 2017, he signed with the St. Louis Blues. He played a few games for the Blues but spent most of his time with their minor league team, the Chicago Wolves. He had a great season with the Wolves, scoring 57 points in 60 games.

In 2018, Beau decided to play in Russia for HC Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He played five games there before leaving the team.

Beau returned to North America in 2019 and signed with the Arizona Coyotes. He played for their minor league team, the Tucson Roadrunners. On June 26, 2021, Beau Bennett announced that he was retiring from playing professional hockey.

Beau Bennett's Life Off the Ice

Beau Bennett went to Valley Christian High School in Cerritos, California.

His nickname is "Sunshine." He got this nickname from a character in the movie Remember the Titans, who was also from California.

To be allowed to play ice hockey, Beau's parents made him learn to play a musical instrument. Beau chose the piano and played it from age 8 to 13.

Awards and Honors

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing the United States
World Junior A Challenge
Gold	2009 Summerside