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Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard. |
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The NLL's number-one draft pick closed out March like a lion, scoring four goals as the Toronto Rock blew away the Philadelphia Wings 15-6, giving a huge boost to their playoff hopes in what has not been the best of seasons for the five-time former champions. A relieved but humble Ryan Benesch talked it over with PLPA correspondent Ben Knight after the game. | |
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What was it like being picked first overall in the NLL draft? Were you expecting that? |
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I wasn't expecting it at all. Look at all the great players that got drafted this year. I would never have imagined myself going number one. To me it's a tremendous feeling and a great honour. I'm just trying to live up to the hype of the number-one draft pick. |
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And if that's not enough pressure, you get traded to the Rock for a guy (Colin Doyle) who's the best player ever out of your hometown (Kitchener-Waterloo), who was a coach on your junior team. Even if your role is different, everyone's thinking this is the guy who's going to replace Colin Doyle. What's that like? |
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Tremendous pressure. Everybody's looking at me to fill that hole, but like I say to everyone else, I can't be the next Colin Doyle. I can only be myself, and hope we get a win based on how the team plays.
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You seem to be getting a lot more comfortable as the season has gone on. What changes have you been making, and how's it been going? |
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My work ethic. After getting benched in New York, I knew I had to step it up, playing one hundred per cent. I'm just glad that the guys are welcoming me more and more, with smiles and jokes, and it's a great feeling.
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What was the first difference you noticed when you got to the NLL? |
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It's a lot faster, with much harder hitting. Guys don't really take it easy on you. There's no friends until after the game. |
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Do you feel shorter and smaller that you did in junior? |
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Oh, Yeah! I feel like a midget out there! Going up against monsters like Peter Jacobs makes me feel just like a midget.
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So what adjustments do you make in the way you play the game, to get open and have time to work with the ball? |
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I just try to keep moving, and work off the picks that are given to me. I try to catch that ball and set up guys. |
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Huge win tonight, and you scored a bunch of goals. That must be a pretty good night at the office. |
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It was a great night. It was a big night for us, we knew what we needed to do, and we came out and did it. |
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Were you surprised you weere able to get open in-close that often? Philly's a team that has the reputation for laying the body on pretty good. |
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A little bit, but after the half I felt they were playing a lot more conservatively and cutting the middle, but if everyone keeps moving, everyone's going to get open. |
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The goal I loved was the one when Josh Sanderson hit you with that little ten-foot push pass from the slot, right over the defender's head. How do you even see that play taking shape? Did you know he was going to do that? You actually had your back to him when the pass came. |
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I could see it. I looked right at his eyes right before he passed it, and I knew he was going to throw it there. |
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So does he zip that pass, or does he float it? |
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He floats it in there. It comes a little bit harder than a floater pass, but it's right in your stick - and it's hard not to catch it. |
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So he really is that good? |
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He is that good. |
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What do you see happening the rest of the season - and in your career? |
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Well, if we keep playing the way we are right now, there's no way we're not going to make the playoffs, and make a legitimate run for the cup. As far as the rest of my career goes, it all depends on the team. I'm not one individual guy. We'll just have to wait and see. |
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When you were playing Jr. A in Kitchener-Waterloo, did you think a lot about playing for the Toronto Rock? |
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Oh, yeah. I came to every game. This is a dream come true. |
| PLPA Correspondent Ben Knight is a regular columnist for Sportsnet.ca. He lives in Toronto. |
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