Victoria native Jordie Benn is officially hanging up his skates after 17 seasons of professional hockey. The 37-year-old defenceman, who played for 11 different teams throughout his career, announced his retirement in an interview with CHEK News’ Paul Haysom.
Benn wraps up his NHL career with 607 games played, 26 goals, and 111 assists — 137 total points.
“It’s a weird feeling that training camp is not around the corner, but it’s been a really fun ride,” Benn said while reflecting on his decision.
Benn’s hockey journey began on the Saanich Peninsula, where he and his younger brother Jamie played minor hockey for the Peninsula Eagles. The duo eventually made their way to the Peninsula Panthers of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, before progressing to the Victoria Grizzlies in the BC Hockey League.
Breaking into the NHL with the Dallas Stars during the 2011-12 season, Benn would play 302 games in Texas—more than with any other team in his career. It was also there that he shared the ice with his brother Jamie, a rare opportunity for siblings in the NHL.
“My brother and I just loved playing hockey,” Jordie recalled. “When we weren’t on the ice, we were in the garage shooting pucks.”
In 2017, Benn was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, where he played parts of three seasons, appearing in 171 games for the storied franchise. Following his time in Montreal, Benn went on to suit up for several other teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, and Toronto Maple Leafs. His final NHL appearance came during the 2022-23 season.
Reflecting on his career, Benn expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play at the highest level.
“A lot of people thought I never should have made it, and maybe I shouldn’t have, but I just worked as hard as I could every night and tried to be the best teammate possible.”
Benn nearly left professional hockey after moving to Texas to be closer to his brother. However, his father, Randy, offered life-changing advice that kept him in the game.
“My dad said I could work for the rest of my life, but as long as I’m having fun, just work hard and see where the game takes me. And to never quit on my dreams,” Benn said.
While Benn’s playing days are now behind him, his legacy as a hardworking and dedicated teammate remains strong, marking the end of a memorable 17-year journey in professional hockey.
