Bees trade Bennefield to Wichita
HIDALGO — The Killer Bees knew Jesse Bennefield wasn’t returning for a third season.
And instead of possibly losing him to a European team for nothing, on Tuesday they traded Bennefield to the Wichita Thunder for forward Tomas Klempa and future considerations. In two seasons with the Bees, Bennefield had 59 goals and 71 assists, including a franchise-record 35 goals and 71 points during the 2008-2009 season.
Despite his success with the Bees and the bonds he had established in the area, Bennefield thought it was time to move on. He was clearly sad to leave but excited as well to move on to a new team.
“It’s tough. When you get that feeling and you know it in your heart that it’s time to try something new,” said Bennefield, who also wanted to thank the fans, owner Troy Nelson and the organization. “As pro athletes, we don’t have a long career, so it’s nice to see different parts of the world and try new things. Sometimes being in one place too long you forget who you are and what you’re doing’s all about.
“A change of scenery, a change of things is healthy for everyone I think.”
Bees coach Chris Brooks said he and Bennefield had “numerous” conversations over the summer about the winger possibly returning for a third season. But when Brooks realized Bennefield wasn’t coming back, he chose to trade him, sending him to a Wichita team that since finishing last season with only nine victories has hired former Colorado and Mississippi coach Kevin McClelland.
“I’ve been working for a long time trying to get the best trade in return,” Brooks said. “Jesse wanted to play in certain places and he had no interest in playing in others, so that sort of came into play.”
Brooks acknowledged that it was going to be difficult getting a player like Bennefield in return.
“Are you ever going to replace Jesse Bennefield with Jesse Bennefield? No you’re not. There’s not too many trades in this league that are apples for apples,” Brooks said. “Most of the trades aren’t of equal value and my job in my position, and it’s extremely time consuming and part of the toughest job in my position, is trying to make decisions that at the end of the day are best for us in this situation.
“With all the other offers I had for Jesse Bennefield, this was the trade that was best for us at this point.”
Klempa, who scored 30 points in 56 games for three teams in three different leagues last season, will join a Bees team in transition. Along with Bennefield, the Bees have also lost all-star goalie Andy Franck to retirement, plus last year’s leading scorer Grant Goeckner-Zoeller and productive defenseman Nathan Ansell to the French second division while center Daymen Rycroft’s return is unclear.
But that doesn’t mean Bennefield is taking his departure any easier.
“My heart dropped and it’s very emotional,” Bennefield said.
ICING: Brooks confirmed the retirement of forward Adam Powell. Powell, who was also signed as a player-assistant coach, texted Brooks to notify him about his decision to retire.
Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via e-mail at bsandalow@themonitor.com.
