Coralville, Iowa – The ECHL announced Wednesday Heartlanders forward and Captain Kris Bennett has been named to the league’s 2021-22 All-Rookie Team as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media, who were asked to select a goaltender, two defensemen and three forwards.Bennett leads the league with 35 goals and ranks 5th in the ECHL with 71 points. Both marks are best among league rookies. Bennett was named ECHL Rookie of the Month in February and March. The 26-year-old native of Brampton, ON joined Iowa this season after playing nine games with the Stockton Heat (AHL) last campaign. Prior to that, Bennett was one of the top players at the University of New Brunswick, accumulating a 113 points (47g) over three seasons at the USports Level. Bennett captured the 2019 University Cup while at New Brunswick. A rookie is defined as a player who has played in less than 25 professional games at the “AA” level or higher prior to the start of the current season.2021-22 ECHL All-Rookie Team
G – Keith Petruzzelli, Newfoundland Growlers (22 gp, 15-6-1, 2.10 GAA, .924 save pct.)D – Josh Maniscalco, Wheeling Nailers (62 gp, 17g, 34a, 51 pts.)D – Luke Martin, Utah Grizzlies (57 gp, 10g, 32a, 42 pts.)F – Kris Bennett, Iowa Heartlanders (47 gp, 35g, 36a, 71 pts.)F – Jack Doremus, Tulsa Oilers (60 gp, 28g, 29a, 57 pts.)F – Benjamin Tardif, Utah Grizzlies (52 gp, 20g, 39a, 59 pts.)Since the ECHL began naming the All-Rookie Team in 2000-01, 22 players selected have gone on to play in the National Hockey League: Simon Gamache (2001-02); Mike Glumac, Vern Fiddler, Adam Hauser, Jason Jaffray and Zenon Konopka (2002-03); Kevin Doell and Brian Fahey (2003-04); Joey Tenute (2004-05); Cedrick Desjardins (2006-07); David Desharnais and Anton Khudobin (2007-08); Richard Bachman (2009-10); Kael Mouillierat and Ben Street (2010-11); Philipp Grubauer (2011-12); Laurent Brossoit (2013-14); Roman Will (2014-15); Jacob MacDonald and Vitek Vanecek (2015-16); Landon Bow (2016-17) and Justin Danforth (2017-18).The ECHL will announce its First-Team All-ECHL and Second-Team All-ECHL teams on Thursday.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers