Matty Beniers
{{Short description|American ice hockey player (born 2002)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Matty Beniers
| image = Matty Beniers 2023-11-13 (cropped).jpeg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Beniers with the Seattle Kraken in November 2023
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|11|5}}
| birth_place = Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 178
| position = Center
| shoots = Left
| league = NHL
| team = Seattle Kraken
| ntl_team = USA
| draft = 2nd overall
| draft_year = 2021
| draft_team = Seattle Kraken
| career_start = 2022
}}
Matthew Beniers ({{IPAc-en|b|ə|ˈ|n|ɪ|ə|r|s}}; born November 5, 2002) is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Kraken drafted Beniers second overall in the 2021 NHL entry draft with their first-ever selection in an entry draft. He played college ice hockey at Michigan. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year in 2023.
Early life
Beniers was born on November 5, 2002, in Hingham, Massachusetts, to parents Bob Beniers and Christine Maglione. His father played collegiate football at Cornell University while his mother was an understudy for A Chorus Line on Broadway before enrolling in law school.{{cite news |last1=Shefte |first1=Kate |title=Kraken center Matty Beniers wins NHL rookie of the year award |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/nhl-rookie-of-the-year-matty-beniers-son-of-broadway-actress-finds-place-in-spotlight/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627071136/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/nhl-rookie-of-the-year-matty-beniers-son-of-broadway-actress-finds-place-in-spotlight/ |archive-date=June 27, 2023}}
Playing career
=Junior=
During the 2018–19 season, in his first season with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program of the United States Hockey League (USHL), Beniers recorded 10 goals and 13 assists in 42 games. During the 2019–20 season, Beniers was alternate captain of the team, where he ranked second on the team in scoring with 18 goals and 23 assists in 44 games.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2020/8/12/beniers-joins-2020-21-michigan-ice-hockey-incoming-class.aspx |title=Beniers Joins 2020-21 Michigan Ice Hockey Incoming Class |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=May 30, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.patriotledger.com/story/sports/2020/11/12/milton-academy-star-hingham-matt-beniers-starts-his-michigan-career/6250060002/ |title=Hingham's Matt Beniers excited to begin college hockey career at Michigan |first=Mike |last=Loftus |newspaper=The Patriot Ledger |date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=May 30, 2021}}
=Collegiate=
Beniers was committed to play ice hockey for Harvard; however, after the Ivy League cancelled their season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he enrolled at Michigan in August 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2020/7/9/ivy-league-cancels-fall-sports-coronavirus/ |title=Ivy League Cancels Fall Sports Season |first=Ema |last=Schumer |newspaper=The Harvard Crimson |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=May 30, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2020/11/14/michigan-hockey-matthew-beniers-harvard/6268369002/ |title=He was supposed to play for Harvard. Now he might put Michigan hockey over the top |first=Joshua |last=Taubman |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=May 30, 2021}} Beniers began his collegiate career for the Michigan Wolverines during the 2020–21 season. He recorded 10 goals and 14 assists in 24 games during his freshman season. He led the conference in on-ice rating with a +21, ranking him eighth nationally. He led first-time NHL Draft-eligible NCAA players in goals, goals per game (0.42), and shots on goal per game. His 24 points ranked third in the league in freshmen scoring and fourth nationally.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2021-nhl-draft-beniers-mctavish-eklund-among-best-forwards/c-325073614 |title=2021 NHL Draft: Top 10 forwards |website=NHL.com |first=Mike G. |last=Morreale |date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021}} He recorded his first career goal in his first game of the season.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2020/11/14/ice-hockey-u-m-freshmen-shine-in-big-season-opening-win-over-arizona-state.aspx |title=U-M Freshmen Shine in Big Season-Opening Win Over Arizona State |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=May 30, 2021}}
On February 26, 2021, he recorded his first career hat-trick in a game against Arizona State.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2021/2/26/ice-hockey-beniers-hat-trick-leads-michigan-past-arizona-state.aspx |title=Beniers' Hat Trick Leads Michigan Past Arizona State |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=February 26, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021}} He was subsequently named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week for the week ending March 1.{{cite web |url=https://bigten.org/news/2021/3/2/general-michigan-notre-dame-and-wisconsin-earn-three-stars-honors.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304043607/https://bigten.org/news/2021/3/2/general-michigan-notre-dame-and-wisconsin-earn-three-stars-honors.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |title=Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin Earn Three Stars Honors |website=BigTen.org |date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021}} On March 5, he recorded his first career four-point game, with one goal and three assists in a game against Minnesota. He was subsequently named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week for the week ending March 9.{{cite web |url=https://bigten.org/news/2021/3/10/general-michigan-notre-dame-and-wisconsin-earn-three-stars-honors.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311154857/https://bigten.org/news/2021/3/10/general-michigan-notre-dame-and-wisconsin-earn-three-stars-honors.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 11, 2021 |title=Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin Earn Three Stars Honors |website=BigTen.org |date=March 10, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021}} Following the season, he was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and the College Hockey News All-Rookie Team.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2021/3/16/ice-hockey-bordeleau-york-named-b1g-rookie-defenseman-of-year-to-lead-u-m-honorees.aspx |title=Bordeleau, York Named B1G Rookie, Defenseman of Year to Lead U-M Honorees |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=March 16, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2021/03/31_2020-21-All-CHN-Teams.php |title=2020-21 All-CHN Teams |website=collegehockeynews.com |date=March 31, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021}}
On August 20, 2021, the Wolverines announced that Beniers would return for the 2021–22 season.{{cite web |last1=Kirschman |first1=Lauren |title=Top Seattle Kraken pick Matt Beniers will return to University of Michigan |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article253695373.html |website=thenewstribune.com |access-date=September 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915152814/https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article253695373.html |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |date=August 23, 2021}} During his sophomore year, he was the Big Ten Scoring Champion, as he recorded 27 points in 20 conference games. He had 10 multiple-point conference games. He led Michigan in scoring with 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points in 37 games.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2022/3/15/ice-hockey-beniers-power-on-all-big-ten-first-team-hughes-shares-top-freshman-award.aspx |title=Beniers, Power on All-Big Ten First Team; Hughes Shares Top Freshman Award |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=March 15, 2022 |access-date=March 15, 2022}} Following an outstanding season, he was named a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten First Team, and a finalist for the Big Ten Player of the Year. He was also named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and an AHCA West First Team All-American.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2022/4/8/ice-hockey-beniers-hughes-and-power-earn-all-american-honors.aspx |title=Beniers, Hughes and Power Earn All-American Honors |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2022}}
=Professional=
File:Matty Beniers.jpg in April 2022.]]
Beniers entered the 2021 NHL Entry Draft as one of the consensus top prospects, and was ultimately selected second overall by the Seattle Kraken, becoming the expansion team's first-ever draft selection.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/owen-power-tops-css-north-american-rankings-for-2021-nhl-draft/c-325012878 |title=Power tops Central Scouting North American rankings for 2021 NHL Draft |website=NHL.com |first=Mike G. |last=Morreale |date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021}}{{Cite web|title=Kraken use first-ever draft pick to select Matthew Beniers No. 2 overall|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/kraken-use-first-ever-draft-pick-select-matthew-beniers-no-2-overall/|access-date=July 25, 2021 |website=Sportsnet.ca}} On April 10, 2022, Beniers signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kraken.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/top-draft-pick-beniers-agrees-to-terms/c-332847104 |title=Beniers Begins |website=NHL.com |first=Bob |last=Condor |date=April 10, 2022 |access-date=April 10, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2022/04/10/michgian-hockey-matty-beniers-nhl-seattle-kraken/9535365002/ |title=Matty Beniers headed from Michigan hockey to NHL's Seattle Kraken |first=Ryan |last=Ford |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |date=April 10, 2022 |access-date=April 10, 2022}} He had been uncertain whether he would turn professional or return to the University of Michigan for another year, but ultimately opted to sign, following discussions with his family, Kraken general manager Ron Francis, and new teammate Ryan Donato.{{cite web |url=https://theathletic.com/3243302/2022/04/11/matty-beniers-kraken-signing/ |title='Matty, you will be fine': Inside the 72 hours that led to Matty Beniers signing with the Kraken |first=Ryan S. |last=Clark |website=The Athletic |date=April 11, 2022 |access-date=April 13, 2022}} Making his NHL debut on April 12, two days after his contract signing, Beniers recorded his first NHL assist in a 5–3 loss to the Calgary Flames. He described being "excited about how all right I felt" during his first appearance in the league.{{cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/matty-beniers-makes-solid-nhl-debut-but-third-period-dooms-kraken-in-calgary/ |title=Matty Beniers makes solid NHL debut, but third period dooms Kraken in Calgary |first=Geoff |last=Baker |newspaper=Seattle Times |date=April 12, 2022 |access-date=April 13, 2022}} Beniers scored his first NHL goal in an April 16 win at home against the New Jersey Devils.{{Cite web |title=Beniers scores first NHL goal, Kraken top Devils in shootout |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-devils-seattle-kraken-game-recap/c-333053226 |access-date=April 17, 2022 |website=NHL.com}} He ended the season with three goals and nine points through 10 NHL games.{{cite web |title=Matty Beniers |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/201739/matty-beniers |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=October 29, 2022}}
Beginning his first full season in the NHL, Beniers was named as the Kraken's representative in the 2023 NHL All-Star Game.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-all-star-game-rosters-announced/c-339555028 |title=NHL All-Star Game rosters unveiled; Shesterkin among 11 first-time picks |first=David |last=Satriano |website=NHL.com |date=January 5, 2023 |access-date=January 5, 2023}} On January 30, 2023, it was announced Beniers would miss the All-Star Game due to an injury caused by a hit from Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers.{{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/garbage-hit-knocks-krakens-matty-beniers-out-of-nhl-all-star-game/ |title='Garbage' hit knocks Kraken's Matty Beniers out of NHL All-Star Game |first=Geoff |last=Baker |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=January 30, 2023 |access-date=January 30, 2023}} He appeared in 80 regular season games, leading all rookies in points (57) and tying for the lead in goals (24) with Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston. On June 26, he was announced as the winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy, the NHL's Rookie of the Year award.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/matty-beniers-owen-power-stuart-skinner-named-calder-trophy-finalists/c-344120976 |title=Beniers, Power, Skinner named Calder Trophy finalists |website=NHL.com |first=David |last=Satriano |date=May 3, 2023 |access-date=May 3, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kraken-matty-beniers-wins-calder-trophy/c-345018402?tid=280503612 |title=Beniers of Kraken wins Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year |website=NHL.com |first=David |last=Satriano |date=June 26, 2023 |access-date=June 26, 2023}}
On August 20, 2024, the Kraken and Beniers agreed to a 7-year, $50 million contract extension, with Seattle citing Beniers as a cornerstone of the franchise.{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2024|title=Kraken, Beniers Agree on Next Contract|url=https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/kraken-beniers-agree-on-seven-year-deal |access-date=August 20, 2024 |website=NHL.com |agency=Associated Press}}
International play
{{MedalTableTop|name=|File:2025-05-04 Deutschland gegen USA (Eishockey-Länderspiel) by Sandro Halank–006.jpg|200px|Beniers with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Championship}}
{{MedalCountry|{{ih|USA}}}}
{{MedalSport|Ice hockey}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2025 Sweden/Denmark|}}
{{MedalBronze|2021 Latvia|}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Junior Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2021 Canada|}}
{{MedalCompetition|World U18 Championships}}
{{MedalBronze|2019 Sweden|}}
{{MedalBottom}}
Beniers represented the United States at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded two goals in seven games and won a bronze medal. Beniers represented the United States at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he was the youngest player on the roster, scoring one goal and two assists and averaging 17:05 of ice time in seven games as a second-line center, helping the United States win gold.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2020/12/12/ice-hockey-beniers-brisson-york-named-to-us-national-junior-team.aspx |title=Beniers, Brisson, York Named to US National Junior Team |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=December 12, 2020 |access-date=May 30, 2021}}
Beniers represented the United States at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, where he was the only draft-eligible player on Team USA and won a bronze medal. He became the fifth Wolverine to represent their country at both the World Junior and World Championship in the same season, following Jack Johnson (2007), Jacob Trouba (2013), Dylan Larkin (2015) and Quinn Hughes (2018 and 2019).{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2021/5/14/ice-hockey-usa-picks-beniers-canada-selects-power-for-world-championship.aspx |title=USA Picks Beniers, Canada Selects Power for World Championship |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=May 14, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2021}}
Beniers represented the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics with one goal and one assist in four games and finished in fifth place.{{cite web |url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1203160 |title=2022 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team Unveiled |website=teamusa.com |date=January 13, 2022 |access-date=January 14, 2022}}
Beniers represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded three goals and three assists in ten games and helped Team USA win their first gold medal since 1933.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/iihf-world-championship-hockey-2025-final |title=U.S. men’s hockey team wins first standalone world championship since 1933 |website=NBC Sports |first=Nick |last=Zaccardi |date=May 25, 2025 |access-date=May 25, 2025}}
Career statistics
=Regular season and playoffs=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||||||
| 2018–19
| U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 42 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 16
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2019–20 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 44 | 18 | 23 | 41 | 24
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21
| B1G | 24 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2021–22 | University of Michigan | B1G | 37 | 20 | 23 | 43 | 16
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22
| NHL | 10 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2022–23 | Seattle Kraken | NHL | 80 | 24 | 33 | 57 | 2
| 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| 2023–24
| Seattle Kraken | NHL | 77 | 15 | 22 | 37 | 20
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2024–25 | Seattle Kraken | NHL | 82 | 20 | 23 | 43 | 14
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 249 !! 62 !! 84 !! 146 !! 36 ! 14 !! 3 !! 4 !! 7 !! 4 |
=International=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" | ||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="98" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||
| 2019
| U18 | {{bronze3}} | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2021 | WJC | {{gold1}} | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2021
| WC | {{bronze3}} | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2022 | United States | OG | 5th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 2025
| United States | WC | {{gold1}} | 10 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"|Junior totals ! 14 !! 3 !! 2 !! 5 !! 6 | ||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"|Senior totals ! 20 !! 5 !! 5 !! 10 !! 10 |
Awards and honors
| class="wikitable"
! Award ! Year ! Ref |
| colspan="3"|College |
|---|
| All-Big Ten Freshman Team
| 2021 |
| College Hockey News All-Rookie Team
| 2021 |
| All-Big Ten First Team
| 2022 |
| Big Ten Scoring Champion
| 2022 |
| Big Ten All-Tournament Team
| 2022 | {{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2022/3/19/ice-hockey-michigan-scores-four-straight-to-win-second-b1g-tournament-championship.aspx |title=Michigan Scores Four Straight to Win Second B1G Tournament Championship |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=March 19, 2022}} |
| AHCA West First Team All-American
| 2022 |
| colspan="3"|NHL |
| NHL All-Star Game
| 2023 |
| Calder Memorial Trophy
| 2023 |
| NHL All-Rookie Team
| 2023 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = None | title = Seattle Kraken first round draft pick | years = 2021 | after = Shane Wright}}
{{succession box | before = Cole Caufield | title = Big Ten Scoring Champion | years = 2021–22 | after = Logan Cooley, Jimmy Snuggerud}}
{{succession box | before = Moritz Seider | title = Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy | years = 2023 | after = Connor Bedard}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beniers, Matty}}
Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans
Category:Calder Trophy winners
Category:Ice hockey players at the 2022 Winter Olympics
Category:Ice hockey players from Massachusetts
Category:Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey players
Category:NHL first-round draft picks
Category:Olympic ice hockey players for the United States
Category:Sportspeople from Hingham, Massachusetts
Category:Ice hockey people from Plymouth County, Massachusetts
Category:Seattle Kraken draft picks
Category:Seattle Kraken players
Category:USA Hockey National Team Development Program players