Bennett Byers '26 Recruiting Profile

I was drafted in the top 40 of our association in Calgary in 2022. I was nominated MVP and had a 0.915 save percentage. 
This year was my first year in the CSSHL. I saw the highest number of shots at 1094. I was nominated and received most dedicated player award and was a great compete year for me.

I would like the opportunity to seriously pursue hockey in the future, as well as to be surrounded by like-minded peers and compete at a very high level.
I have attached some comments and testimonials we have received over the past two years from those that help me train. All of them have said they would be happy if you needed to reach out and discuss my character and work ethic as well as skill in net. 

From: Scott Owens (Teacher)MONSIGNOR J.S. SMITH SCHOOL msgrsmith.cssd.ab.ca

Testimonial for Bennett Byers

I have taught Bennett Byers in our school’s HCSA program for just over a year now. When Bennett is on the ice he is extremely focused and has a very high compete level. He works hard in each drill, listens to instruction well, and is determined to improve his skill level. Bennett is well liked by his peers and one can easily see that he has a love for the game and is a talented goaltender.

 

Scott Owens

 

Scott Owens

Teacher

MONSIGNOR J.S. SMITH SCHOOL

Tel: 403-500-2069

msgrsmith.cssd.ab.ca

From: Devin Green: Goalie Coach

World Pro Goalie Coach

(403) 968-3094

"Firstly, I would like to say what a pleasure it is to work with Bennett. Bennett is a very well rounded individual who is alway respectful, driven andpassionate about everything he is involved in.

I have gotten to know Bennett over the past two years as his Goaltending Coach. His attention to detail, drive, and willingness to push himself is what makes Bennett so special. Bennett is extremely coachable and wants to understand the game to his fullest potential.

 
I know that when I work with Bennett I am working with a young man who displays an immense amount of  respect,  has the capabilities to handle criticism in the proper manner, and apply what we are working on without hesitation.

I am really excited to see what the future holds for Bennett."

Devin Green 

From 

Cameron Lanigan

403 966 5245:

To Whom It May Concern,

I have had the pleasure of working with Bennett Byers for over 5 years now in various coaching disciplines. I have worked with Bennett as an individual skill coach (through the off-season months where little to no competitive action took place) and as a team provided goalie coach (through the in-season months which included recording and reviewing game tape from competitive game action and attending team practices). I have been able to see the very vulnerable sides of Bennett (during the season where wins and losses and personal stats are ever present) and the very confident sides of Bennett (leading up to the season after a summer of extensive training).

Making necessary changes during the season is challenging in the sense that the variable of time to implement said new skillsets or adjustments to current skillsets is removed. Young goalies must be able to absorb new info and ultimately implement it to the best of their ability come their next game (whenever that may be). Many kids are resistant to change during the season and for good reason. At the end of the day, it’s their pride and confidence amongst their peers that suffers when they do not perform to the standards they wish to execute. Bennett has never wavered in his willingness and overall exuberance to learn the position despite suffering the inevitable tumultuous lows all goalies experience at times throughout their young career. Bennett’s maturity, positivity, and willingness to learn amongst peers his age has been one of his strongest traits not only as a young goaltender but also as he becomes a young man.

On the flip side, I have also seen Bennett’s maturity shine through when he is afforded the luxury of time to implement more challenging/technique based changes to his game; i.e. the off-season. Once the competitive schedule is removed from a young goaltenders day-to-day routine, it then opens a window to try and tackle more fundamental changes to their game. These changes are significantly more challenging to implement/master than the corrections you make during the season, and with that, require a different depth of maturity and resiliency. The frustration and disappoint is not made evident by the score at the end of their next game; rather, the pain of potentially taking weeks or even months of consistent failure until the new skill set becomes automatic and finally “clicks” is what is made apparent. Many young goaltenders are great at in-season changes, but with that are far too stubborn or ego-driven to stick it out through the off-season. They fail to see that coaches are trying to prepare them for the next year and inevitable stronger competition through said invasive technical changes to their game. Bennett has demonstrated the ability to do both across the many years I have worked with him as a young goaltender. When I was asked to describe what it’s like to work with Bennett, I couldn’t think of a better example that speaks to his humble yet unwavering work ethic and mature nature.

Bennett possesses many of the necessary traits to not only be an excellent goaltender, but also to be a great teammate and leader amongst his peers. He has been an absolute pleasure to work with and any team or school will be happy to have Bennett as part of their group.

Sincerely,

Cameron Lanigan

From: 

Sue Raffin

World Pro

403-863-4639

Bennett’s Yoga/ Flexibility Coach:

I consider myself fortunate to be able to mentor such a fine young man. Ben is always fun to work with and I have to say it is truly rare for someone his age to be so engaged and invested in his progress.

Given the work ethic and focus he has consistently shown, I’m sure that he will be rewarded for it.

Always polite and always ready to train and learn is probably the simplest description of his great attitude!

Keep it up Ben:)

Bennett’s hockey coach: Jeremy Cheyne:

In my experience coaching Bennett, he is self-motivated and exceptionally talented. I believe he has a very bright future in this game or whatever he puts his mind to. He was always prepared and would manage adversity well, beyond the age in which one should be able to. Games whereby things did not go well for the team, he would find a way to bounce back or make that big save. He did so with a smile on his face. In every interaction I have had with him as a coach, a parent, in lacrosse, or hockey he has been very respectful and is capable of both engaging in and leading a conversation. This speaks to a strong foundation at home. 

He is very proud of his "other" hobbies which shows a dimension not seen in teenage boys. Typically the only commonality is the sport itself, but with Bennett he can relate to books, outdoor activities, family adventures, or his experiences with his parents. 

Jeremy Cheyne: Hockey Coach

[email protected]

(403)809-3434

Sent from my iPhone