Zach Benson Explained

Zachary Benson
Birth Date:12 May 2005
Birth Place:Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:170[1]
Position:Left wing
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Buffalo Sabres
Prospect League:WHL
Draft:13th overall
Draft Year:2023
Draft Team:Buffalo Sabres
Career Start:2023

Zachary Ruben Benson (born May 12, 2005) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 13th overall by the Sabres in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.[2]

Playing career

Benson finished third in WHL scoring in 2022–23 with 36 goals and 98 points in 60 games, behind fellow BC-born prospect Connor Bedard.[3]

On July 28, 2023, Benson signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres.[4] On October 12, 2023, Benson made his NHL debut against the New York Rangers, where he logged a minor penalty in a 5–1 loss.[5] On November 22, 2023, Benson scored his first career goal in a 3–4 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals.[6]

International play

At the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Benson had two goals and five assists in five games, helping Canada win gold.[7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2020–21Winnipeg IceWHL24 10 10 20 12
2021–22Winnipeg IceWHL58 25 38 63 2815 9 14 23 10
2022–23Winnipeg IceWHL60 36 62 98 4915 7 10 17 8
2023–24Buffalo SabresNHL71 11 19 30 36
NHL totals71 11 19 30 36

International

Awards and honours

AwardYear
WHL
East First All-Star Team2023[8]
CHL Third All-Star Team2023

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zach Benson Stats and News .
  2. Web site: Cosentino . Sam . Prospect of Interest: The dynamic offensive game of Zach Benson . Sportsnet . 27 June 2023.
  3. Web site: Clipperton . Joshua . Zach Benson's winding road primed for next stop — the NHL draft . BurnabyNow . 27 June 2023.
  4. Web site: Reporter . Mike Harrington News Sports . 2023-07-28 . Sabres sign first-round pick Zach Benson to his entry-level contract . 2023-07-28 . Buffalo News . en.
  5. Web site: Hoppe . Bill . 2023-10-12 . Sabres fall in early hole, lose opener; Zach Benson sharp in NHL debut . 2023-10-13 . buffalohockeybeat.com.
  6. News: Brehm . Mike . Buffalo Sabres rookie Zach Benson scores first goal on highlight-reel, between-the-legs shot . February 21, 2024 . USA Today . November 22, 2023.
  7. Web site: Engel . Heather . Benson uses speed, work ethic to emerge as top 2023 NHL Draft prospect . NHL . 27 June 2023.
  8. Web site: WHL names 2022–23 East Division First All-Star Team . . March 28, 2023 . June 27, 2023.