Zach Benson

Last updated

Zachary Benson
Born (2005-05-12) May 12, 2005 (age 19)
Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 170 [1]  lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team Buffalo Sabres
NHL draft 13th overall, 2023
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2023present

Zachary Ruben Benson [2] (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. [3]

Contents

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. [4]

On July 28, 2023, Benson signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres. [5] On October 12, Benson made his NHL debut against the New York Rangers, where he logged a minor penalty in a 5–1 loss. [6] On November 22, Benson scored his first career goal in a 3–4 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals. [7]

International play

At the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Benson had two goals and five assists in five games, helping Canada win gold. [8]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2020–21 Winnipeg Ice WHL 2410102012
2021–22 Winnipeg IceWHL5825386328159142310
2022–23 Winnipeg IceWHL603662984915710178
2023–24 Buffalo Sabres NHL 7111193036
2024–25 Buffalo SabresNHL7510182860
NHL totals14621375896

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022 Canada HG18 Gold medal icon.svg52572
Junior totals52572

Awards and honours

AwardYear
WHL
East First All-Star Team 2023 [9]
CHL Third All-Star Team2023

References

  1. "Zach Benson Stats and News".
  2. @SabresLive (March 14, 2024). "Dis OR Dat™️ - Better middle name - Ruben OR Gaston? CC:@Ruben7974 Check out @martybiron43's entire chat with @BuffaloSabres forward Zach Benson👇" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  3. Cosentino, Sam. "Prospect of Interest: The dynamic offensive game of Zach Benson". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  4. Clipperton, Joshua. "Zach Benson's winding road primed for next stop — the NHL draft". BurnabyNow. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  5. Reporter, Mike Harrington News Sports (July 28, 2023). "Sabres sign first-round pick Zach Benson to his entry-level contract". Buffalo News. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  6. Hoppe, Bill (October 12, 2023). "Sabres fall in early hole, lose opener; Zach Benson sharp in NHL debut". buffalohockeybeat.com. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  7. Brehm, Mike (November 22, 2023). "Buffalo Sabres rookie Zach Benson scores first goal on highlight-reel, between-the-legs shot". USA Today. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  8. Engel, Heather. "Benson uses speed, work ethic to emerge as top 2023 NHL Draft prospect". NHL. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  9. "WHL names 2022–23 East Division First All-Star Team". Western Hockey League. March 28, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick
2023
Succeeded by