Brian Benning Explained

Position:Defence
Shoots:Left
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:175
Played For:St. Louis Blues
Los Angeles Kings
Philadelphia Flyers
Edmonton Oilers
Florida Panthers
Ntl Team:CAN
Birth Date:June 10, 1966
Birth Place:Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Draft:26th overall
Draft Year:1984
Draft Team:St. Louis Blues
Career Start:1985
Career End:1995

Brian Anthony Benning (born June 10, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Florida Panthers. He is the younger brother of former Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning, [1] [2] and former NCAA player Mark Benning. He is the father of both San Jose Sharks defenceman Matt Benning and Florida Panthers defenceman Mike Benning.[3] [4]

Playing career

Benning was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 2nd round, 26th overall in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He made his debut in the NHL during the 1984–1985 season with the Blues, playing in 4 games. Benning finally got the chance to have a full-time job in the NHL during the 1986–1987 season. That year he played in 78 games with the Blues and scored a career high 49 points. Benning then played 2 more full seasons with the Blues before being traded at the beginning of the 1989–1990 to the Los Angeles Kings. He played 3 seasons there before having brief stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers.

Benning finished out his career with the Florida Panthers. He was on the original 1993–1994 Panthers team that surprised many by nearly making the playoffs. He retired after the 1994–1995 season.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
1981–82St. Albert SaintsAJHL302214
1982–83St. Albert SaintsAJHL578384681
1983–84Portland Winter HawksWHL3864147108
1984–85Kamloops BlazersWHL173182126
1984–85St. Louis BluesNHL40220
1985–86Canadian National TeamIntl606131943
1985–86St. Louis BluesNHL612313
1986–87Canadian National TeamIntl2014522
1986–87St. Louis BluesNHL7813364911060449
1987–88St. Louis BluesNHL77829371071016725
1988–89St. Louis BluesNHL6682634102711211
1989–90St. Louis BluesNHL71122
1989–90Los Angeles KingsNHL485182310470226
1990–91Los Angeles KingsNHL6172431127120556
1991–92Los Angeles KingsNHL532303299
1991–92Philadelphia FlyersNHL222121435
1992–93Philadelphia FlyersNHL379172693
1992–93Edmonton OilersNHL1817859
1993–94Florida PanthersNHL7362430107
1994–95Florida PanthersNHL2417818
NHL totals56863233296963483202370

International

Awards and honours

AwardYear
NHL
All-Rookie Team1987

Notes and References

  1. http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=10092 Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Brian Benning.
  2. News: Houston . William . Hockey: He's Meeker, but not milder. The Globe and Mail. January 7, 1984.
  3. http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/matt-benning/ Hockey's Future - Matt Benning.
  4. Web site: Florida Panthers agree to terms with Defenseman Mike Benning . . April 13, 2023 . April 13, 2023.