The Road Less Traveled: Simon Benoit's Unique Path to the NHL

There are many roads to the NHL. Some players, like Ryan Getzlaf, Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm, come into the world's most competitive league as high draft picks, bringing anticipation and expectations of immediate success.
Others, like Josh Manson, Troy Terry and Adam Henrique, blossom as later picks, rewarding their team's vision and belief in a young player's talent.
Some go undrafted, grinding their way through the minors to reach the ultimate goal.
And then there's Simon Benoit.

A native of Laval, Quebec, Benoit originally came to Southern California in the summer of 2018 as an undrafted, unsigned development camp invite. An unheralded arrival amidst a slew of top draftees, the defenseman quietly went about his business, seeking to show his potential new bosses he belonged.
Three years later, he is on the doorstep of completing the hardest step in an unlikely journey, earning a full-time place in the NHL.
Then 18 years old, skating at The Rinks Anaheim Ice alongside several future teammates, including Troy Terry, Isac Lundestrom and Max Jones, Benoit flashed unique upside. Long and lanky, yet strong and aggressive, the former QMJHL standout was unpolished but possessed raw skills that suggested a more thorough look. Ducks coaches and management took note, seeing enough to bring him to rookie camp in August and then again to main training camp a month later.

"I knew I had nothing to lose," Benoit recalled. "I just came here and wanted to compete for my spot. I kept working and working, and they gave me the chance."
Suddenly practicing amongst some of the game's elite players, Benoit hardly looked out of place. The performance earned him his first contract, a one-year AHL pact signed with San Diego at the close of camp. After a summer of uncertainty and commitment to the craft with no guarantee of a roster spot, Benoit was finally a professional.
The meteoric rise only picked up steam in his AHL rookie season as the 6-3 blueliner led all Gulls defensemen in games played (65) and plus/minus (+16) while becoming a trusted option for head coach Dallas Eakins, then San Diego's bench boss. That was all the Ducks needed to see to ensure one thing - Benoit was staying in Southern California for good, with an NHL contract to boot.
"He was extremely raw but one of the hardest working players I've coached or played with," Eakins remembered. "He was scraping to stay in the lineup and be noticed. He was never deterred."
Benoit says his love for the game has helped drive him to beat the odds, and that passion is evident. He is often so eager to get on the ice before games or between periods, he will be dressed minutes before his teammates, often quietly standing by himself in the tunnel, mentally preparing himself for the action ahead.
His game isn't a flashy one. You likely won't see him on the nightly highlights all that often. But Benoit's skillset offers a potential weapon every NHL team covets - a big, mobile rearguard who excels in his defensive zone and isn't afraid to throw his weight around.
"If they trust me to put me in the lineup every night, I'm going to do my best to give them what they want from me," Benoit said. "I need to be physical, have a good stick and be reliable defensively."
That drive and dedication has been evident to his coaches since day one, especially Eakins, who has now overseen Benoit's development at both the AHL and NHL levels.
"That kid's resilience, discipline and the amount of work he's put in is an unbelievable testament to him," Eakins said. "Anyone that is looking to get better anywhere in their life should look at him. With his dedication and discipline, it's quite amazing."
That attitude still rings true despite his arrival on the game's brightest stage. Benoit says the "easy" part is now done, instead focusing on continually proving his worth on an NHL roster. But he doesn't mind taking a moment to soak it all in.
The rookie potted his first career goal in his eighth career game on Oct. 28 against Buffalo in front of the Ducks faithful. The look on his face after seeing the puck cross the line told the whole story.

"I had to go for a change there because I was a little too excited," Benoit joked. "I've been working really hard to get where I'm at right now. It was really exciting."
Paired with 12-year veteran Kevin Shattenkirk, Benoit is learning the ropes from one of the game's most accomplished blueliners. Shattenkirk said seeing his young partner score his first goal reminded him why he loves the game.
"That excitement and joy makes you feel young again," Shattenkirk said. "It takes you back to when you scored your first NHL goal. I was just so genuinely happy for him."

Benoit credited Shattenkirk with helping guide him through the steep learning curve of becoming an NHL defenseman.
"Shatty has been so great for me," Benoit said. "He's helping me a lot. He's talking to me between shifts and periods…He has all these little tricks that can help my game with better passes and timing. He's a great guy for me to be around."

Benoit hopes to take those lessons into the final stage of his long journey, the "hard" part as he says, making his roster spot a permanent one.
"The easy part is done now," he said. "I've done all my work to get here. Now I have to keep working and stay here."