The decision to jump to midget AAA hockey is paying dividends for Mason Benning.
After spending two years playing midget AA in his hometown, the Estevan defenceman joined the Battlefords Stars of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League this year.
Benning said the move has helped him become a better player.
"I'm actually incredibly happy that I made the decision to come. I can tell every day that i'm getting better. Skating every day and practicing every day, it's been tremendous and I can tell I'm getting better all the time," said the 18-year-old.
"Skating has definitely been my biggest improvement so far, my speed and everything. My decision-making with the puck, just making the right play at the right time and being more smart with it."
Benning has posted seven goals and 16 points in 43 games from the back end this year, along with 24 penalty minutes.
He said he's gotten a lot of power play time with the Stars.
"I'm not a guy that goes out and gets a huge hit. I've got one of the better shots, so the coach will put me out there on the power play and get some shots through. I'm a pretty big defensive guy making a good breakout pass and keeping things simple and not giving up too many scoring opportunities."
A major highlight for Benning this season was playing with the Stars at the Mac's midget AAA tournament in Calgary in late December.
He recorded a goal and three assists in the tournament, but the most memorable part of the experience was playing an under-17 team from Finland.
"That was incredible. Probably one of the best hockey experiences I'll ever have in my lifetime. To play a team from a different continent, that was incredible, seeing how they moved the puck. Having all those scouts and fans, it was just crazy to see. I didn't let my nerves get to me. I felt I played some of my best games there and definitely made the most of it," Benning said.
The Stars finished second in the league with a record of 29-7-5. They swept the Saskatoon Contacts in the first round and kicked off their second-round series against the Prince Albert Mintos last night.
"Two years ago, this team had seven wins all year. This year, we've had seven losses all year. The way this organization has turned around in the last two years is incredible. This community has not seen a winning team in years and it's a good feeling to know I was part of the year that turned it around," Benning said.
Here is a look at how other local players have fared in the midget AAA ranks this year:
Chase McKersie (Estevan) - Yorkton Harvest
McKersie's last year of midget was his best, as the local forward posted 19 goals and 45 points in 44 games, which put him in the top 20 in league scoring. While spending his second year with the Harvest, McKersie also played in seven games with the Estevan Bruins, picking up one assist. He's poised to jump into the Bruins' lineup in the fall.
Ty Brown (Estevan) - Notre Dame Hounds
In his first year at the midget level, Brown recorded 11 goals and 22 points on a Hounds club that missed the playoffs. That was enough to put the former bantam AA Bruin seventh on the team in scoring.
Madison Colbow (Estevan) - Weyburn Gold Wings
In her second year in the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League, the defender doubled her rookie point total, with 11 goals and 20 points in 28 games.
Mariah McKersie (Estevan) - Notre Dame Hounds
McKersie jumped to the SFMAAAHL this year and the local defender posted two goals and nine points in 28 games.
Tamara Irwin (Estevan) - Weyburn Gold Wings
Irwin, 16, spent her first midget season as the Gold Wings' backup. In nine appearances, she posted a 6-1 record with a 1.88 goals-against average and .874 save percentage.
Tanner Jeannot (Oxbow) - Yorkton Harvest
After playing a year of midget AA in Estevan, Jeannot made the jump this year and finished second on the Harvest in scoring, just behind McKersie, with 15 goals and 36 points.
Cale Fleury (Carlyle) - Notre Dame Hounds
Fleury led a large Carlyle contingent in the SMAAAHL this year. The former bantam AA Bruin and Kootenay Ice prospect notched seven goals and 29 points as a rookie defenceman.
Marc Shaw (Carlyle) - Yorkton Harvest
The 16-year-old forward made the jump from the midget AA Bruins to the Harvest, posting eight goals and 12 points in 35 games.
Brady Third (Carlyle) - Notre Dame Hounds
After being drafted by the Regina Pats in the eighth round last year, the 15-year-old forward had four goals and 11 points in his midget AAA debut.
Kyle Sargent (Carlyle) - Moose Jaw Generals
Drafted in the ninth round by the Red Deer Rebels last year, the 16-year-old defenceman scored two goals and added four assists with the Generals.
Carter Phair (Carnduff) - Yorkton Harvest
After playing bantam AA in Estevan last year, Phair was drafted by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 10th round and joined the Harvest. In 13 games, he posted a 5-5-1 record with a 2.75 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.
