Ben Ondrus

[2,5,andagame]

(TORONTO) -- John Ferguson, vice-president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Friday that the club has signed restricted free agent forward Ben Ondrus to a two year contract. In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Ondrus, 24, made his NHL debut for the Maple Leafs in the 2005-06 season by playing in 22 games. The native of Sherwood Park, Alberta played 53 games for the Marlies, collecting 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) with 104 penalty minutes. He played in two preseason games in 2005 for the Maple Leafs scoring one goal and adding four penalty minutes.

Ondrus signed with the Maple Leafs as an unrestricted free agent May 27, 2004.


Congrats Benny!!!!

[Scout]

Goes to show you don't have to be a super star scoring 100 points to make it. Just have what Ben has, heart grit and determination.

Scout

[Flathead]

Hard work and desire can go a long way!! Way to go Ben.

[Toswammi]

Benny is an excellent example that a little bit of work can go a long way and overcome any sort of skill defiecency.

Now if only you could leave that crappy leaf team and play for....well....Calgary.

[Willis on the Welfare]

I realize I'lll be in the minority with this opinion but I've just about had it with "hard work" and "desire" and all these other terms we use in place of "lack of talent".

Don't get me wrong, Ondrus is a great athlete, and a good character guy. and I'm sure he has worked hard to get his spot.

Playing in the NHL is devalued. It's all about right place and right time. Layne Ulmer, a dynamic goal scorer toils in the minors while we watch Ben Ondrus play dump and chase on HNIC.

And we wonder why NHL hockey is relegated to the Outdoor Life Network in the states where it gets one tenth of the TV ratings of FAT GUYS PLAYING POKER!!!

Minor hockey coaches, it starts with you. TEACH SKILL!!! NO MORE PUCKLESS PRACTISES!!!

[Oh-Vee]

I agree with Willis. However I think that if the NHL keeps up with the zero tollerence policy for the next 5 years two things will happen: First Ron McLeans head will blow up and second third and fourth line guys are going to have to be able to skate or they will end up as extras in the next Mighty Ducks movie (Mighty Ducks 4: Willis Goes Bannanas).

With the WHL implementing the same policy next season it will be interesting to see how long it takes teams to adjust.