Ryan Benesch has led a nomadic career in the National Lacrosse League.
Considered as one of the league’s all-time great forwards, the Halifax Thunderbirds’ 34-year-old veteran has played for seven teams in 14 seasons, including four in the past four years.
His latest stop on his NLL trek has left an impression.
“It’s awesome, man; Halifax is second to none,” Benesch said in a phone interview from his Kitchener, Ont., home earlier this week. “The fans are awesome. I know lacrosse might be new to Halifax but they have grasped it and bought on.
“I think the more and more that they come out to games, the more and more the crowd is going to be hyped and on our side. That’s all we need for home games, to have our fans on our side.”
Nomadic career
Benesch, who was drafted first overall by the San Jose Stealth in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft, has had stops in Toronto, Edmonton, Minnesota and Buffalo.
Following the 2016-17 season, the Bandits traded Benesch to the Colorado Mammoth. He spent one year in Denver before shuffling off to Rochester, N.Y.
But, alas, that would be his only season in western New York. It was September of last year when Rochester Knighthawks owner Curt Styres announced that one of the league’s charter franchises would relocate to the Nova Scotia capital following the season.
Benesch followed the team to Halifax but admits he wasn’t sure of this latest journey.
“To be honest, I was kind of iffy about the whole situation,” Benesch recalled.
“But knowing the team that was going to Halifax and knowing the coach (Mike Accursi) and Curt, our owner, I trusted in everyone that I had made the right move. It’s been a great four games so far and I can’t wait to see the rest of the season out.”
Racking up points, fans
The Thunderbirds have been a hit on and off the floor in Halifax. They lead the league with a 4-0 record and have seen attendance swell in each of their three home games. Their 12-9 victory over Colorado at Scotiabank Centre last Saturday drew over 7,600 fans at the downtown arena.
Whether or not they’re experiencing a honeymoon phase in their new hometown, Benesch said he’s not surprised by his team’s early success.
“We have bought into the whole team aspect and everyone’s doing their job,” said Benesch, who’s tied for the team scoring lead (18 points in
four games) with Cody Jamieson. He has notched a league-leading two game-winning goals.
“It’s a short season and to go 4-0 is a good thing. Anything can happen in this league so it’s definitely good to get off a great start like we have.
“The offence is clicking, the defence has been doing their job and Warren (goalie Warren Hill) has played really well in net. We all seem to be making it work.
“We have a good group and there’s definitely a fine balance between the veterans and the rookies. There seems to be a legit chemistry on
this team. We have a great squad, man. It’s just awesome.”
All-time career
Benesch is one of only 10 players in NLL history to register 1,000 career points. The five-foot-eight, 195-pound lefty – the 2007 NLL rookie of the year – was twice named a first-team All-Pro (2011 and '15).
He has moved into ninth place in both career goals (441) and points (1,028). Benesch also sits 10th all-time in career games played (437). That kind of experience is invaluable to any team.
“I try to do what I can,” said Benesch, who turns 35 on Jan. 30. “I try to pass on the knowledge that has been passed on to me.
“I’ve been coached by some pretty awesome players like Colin Doyle and Josh Sanderson. You try to pass on that knowledge and try to teach the younger players how to be professionals on and off the floor and do whatever it takes to help the team win.
“We just have to trust the system, trust the process and don’t get down on ourselves. Lacrosse is a game of runs. If we stick to the game plan, we should be able to come out with a victory.”
The Thunderbirds will try for five consecutive wins to start the season on Saturday evening when they host the San Diego Seals. The second-year club sits at 1-4 but Benesch isn’t fooled by their record.
“They are a very good team and they have a lot of good players and they have a good goalie,” he said. “We just have to worry about playing our game and limit their chances and capitalize on ours.”
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