Jamie Jumps to Major Junior

The Kelowna Rockets are looking for a pure goal scorer, and may have had their prayers answered Monday when it was announced that Jamie Benn is leaving the BCHL's Victoria Grizzlies and will suit up this season with the Kelowna Rockets.

Benn scored 42 goals in his rookie season with the Grizzlies, and was subsequently drafted by the Dallas Stars in this summers draft, 129th overall. The Rockets, who listed Benn, were hoping to have him at training camp this season, yet the 6'2 185 pound winger at first was hesitant in leaving the Grizzlies where he played alongside his brother Jordie. Benn was named the Coastal Conference rookie of the year last season, and led all BCHL rookies with 42 goals and 65 points.

Benn has scored at every level he has played, but Rockets fans shouldn't expect him to shoot out the lights initially at the WHL level. That said, Jamie Benn is a welcome addition offensively to a team that generated just 9 shots in a 5-0 shutout loss Saturday in Vancouver.

Benn is expected to make his Rockets/WHL debut Friday at home against the Seattle Thunderbirds. I understand he has been working through an injury, so he possibly will be a game time decision.