Zach Benson

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	2023–present

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]

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	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2020–21	Winnipeg Ice	WHL		24	10	10	20	12		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Winnipeg Ice	WHL		58	25	38	63	28		15	9	14	23	10
2022–23	Winnipeg Ice	WHL		60	36	62	98	49		15	7	10	17	8
2023–24	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		71	11	19	30	36		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				71	11	19	30	36		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2022	Canada	HG18			5	2	5	7	2
Junior totals					5	2	5	7	2

Awards and honours

Award	Year
WHL
East First All-Star Team	2023	[9]
CHL Third All-Star Team	2023

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.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Jiří Kulich	Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick 2023	Succeeded by Konsta Helenius