Flames' Bennett admits to keeping shoulder injury a secret; surgery a 'strong possibility'

Calgary first-round draft pick Sam Bennett admitted to keeping his shoulder injury quiet throughout the course of training camp, saying he really wanted to make the Flames 2014-15 roster. 

“I guess, really, I wanted to play,” Bennett told Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun on Tuesday. “I’d do anything to make the team and to play in the NHL this year. I guess maybe I should’ve come up sooner, but I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. I guess it is a little bit bigger of a deal than I thought."

Instead of suiting up for the Flames on opening night – a long shot at best heading into camp, shoulder injury or not – Bennett now faces the prospect of shoulder surgery, as confirmed by general manager Brad Treliving 

“We are going to spend probably the next 24 to 48 hours finalizing his plan of care," said the GM. “There is a strong possibility that this could require a surgical procedure. We’re just not there yet in terms of the final prognosis.”

Treliving was also quite diplomatic about Bennett's silence while dealing with the injury through camp. 

“One of the great characteristics of this young lad and one of the things that draws us to him is his competitiveness, and I think he’s probably been dealing with this for longer than he’s wanted to let on,” he said.

If he does require surgery, Bennett will likely miss a significant chunk of the Ontario Hockey League season. Treliving admitted Bennett's lack of playing action with the Kingston Frontenacs would be a "speed bump" in his development, but reiterated the future remains bright for the young forward.