Given the choice, Jamie Benn ultimately decided to make sure he's fully ready to go when the puck drops on a new NHL season.
The Dallas Stars captain announced Tuesday he's pulling himself off Canada's World Cup roster in light of offseason core muscle surgery. While the six-week recovery timeline suggested he could indeed suit up for the tournament, Benn prioritized his NHL commitment over the national team.
Related: Sharks' Couture named to Team Canada, will replace Stars' Benn
"Giving everything I have to this organization is my main job, and I want to be ready to go when the season starts," Benn told Mike Heika Of The Dallas News.
"I'm 100 percent committed to the Stars. That's why we made the decision."
Still, the decision wasn't an easy one, as Benn would have had not only an opportunity to add another international win to his resume following a strong showing at the Olympics in 2014, but a chance to play with linemate Tyler Seguin for the first time in a Canada jersey.
"It's what you dream of growing up," Benn said of playing for his country. "It was a really tough decision."
At the end of the day, it's success with the Stars - in the regular season and especially the playoffs - that takes precedence over the World Cup, and Benn is indeed expected to be 100 percent for opening night on Oct. 13.
The 27-year-old signed an eight-year, $76-million contract extension on July 15 on the strength of a career-high 41 goals and 89 points this past season, and one year after winning the Art Ross Trophy as the league's highest scorer.
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