Jonas Bennett scored his first goal in a Knights jersey last weekend on the road against the Solway Sharks. It came after an impressive season so far for the young defenceman who has iced in 34 games for the National League team and has made his first final with the senior team; the National Cup Final against the Sheffield Steeldogs, the first-leg of which will be played at The Castle tomorrow.
Speaking on the season so far, Bennett said: “It’s been really important. I didn’t expect to play as much as I have done so far, so everything’s just been a bonus for me, helping me develop – it’s great.”
At just 16-years-old, Bennett has made a significant impact as part of the Knights team and is definitely missed when out of the line-up. He demonstrated as much with his goal on Saturday in his first game since returning from injury.
“I saw Oli was on the wall in D-zone so I drove through the middle, tried to give him an option and then he gave it to me, [I] passed it out wide,” said Bennett.
"Bizz gave it to Sobs. Sobs made a nice pass to me, a little behind the back and I probably should have put it in the first time, but took a couple of whacks and yeah, it went in."
Bennett is now looking ahead to the Cup Final where his side hope to get off to a good start in the 120-minute game of hockey.
“I’m excited,” he said. “It’s the games that you want to play.
“When you play hockey, it’s the important games, the pressure games, that get you excited so I’m looking forward to it.
“It was a tough weekend [last week], but we know we’ve got it in us to beat the Steeldogs team - we’ve done it before - so we’re excited for it.”
It’s looking like The Castle will be sold-out again this Thursday with an electric atmosphere promised to all coming. Bennett concluded with praise for the Knights supporters who back Ryan Aldridge’s side through thick and thin.
“The fans are great,” he said. “Without them, we would not be able to do what we’ve done this season and over the past few seasons as well. It’s great.
“It’s so loud and intimidating for other teams which is great for us. It gives us a good lift.”
