Benning dealt to TCA

The Ice announced this morning that the club has traded D Matt Benning to the Tri-City Americans in exchange for conditional 3rd and 6th round picks in the 2012 Bantam Draft.

Here's the release:

Cranbrook, BC – Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the club has traded 17-year-old Defense prospect Matt Benning (May 25, 1994) to the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a conditional 3rd and 6th round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.

“While we are disappointed Matt did not commit to our program. We felt it was best for both the player and the organization to have a fresh start,” added Chynoweth.
Matt Benning was drafted in the second round (35th overall) of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. He played last season with the Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL (43-0-7-7-65).
Regular priced Season Tickets are still available for the upcoming season at the Kootenay ICE Office or by calling 250-417-0322.

After Benning did not show for training camp last season it appears that the organization and the player chose to go their separate ways. Benning, a 6', 205lb rearguard who played with the Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL last season notching 7 assists in 43 games.

Falling behind other 17-year-old D-men on the club's prospect list, Mike Simpson and Jeff Hubic, both who have a shot at cracking the roster this season, Benning - the son of former NHL'er Brian Benning - was thought to be exploring the college route by not reporting to camp. AM's GM Bob Tory, who's been on a trading tear of late to reshape his roster, will attempt to entice the Edmonton product to the desert this season. The deal is based on a conditional 3rd and 6th round pick, with the 3rd rounder likely being the 'conditional' one if Benning reports to the Americans.

Over at Between the Lines Ice PBP Jeff Hollick has the season ticket tally at 2101.