Michael Benning

August 2023 – Benning is a deceptive puck handler who dances the blue line on the power play and launches hard, accurate shots from the point. In his second year with Denver, the 2021-22 NCAA champs, he maintained the near point-per-game pace he managed as a freshman despite the fact that the team lost several top veteran scorers. Benning was once again a strong play-driver who led Denver in scoring from the back end. Given that he recently signed a three-year Entry Level Contract with Florida, there is a good chance we see him with the Checkers this year. Do not be surprised if he takes over their top power play and excels right off the hop. Still a relative secret in fantasy outside of Panthers fans, Benning looks poised to shoot up rankings in the near future. Ben Gehrels

December 2022 – Benning is in the midst of his second point-per-game campaign as a Junior at the University of Denver and is currently sitting only two points back of the nationwide point lead among defencemen. Denver lost a number of top scorers over the offseason, including NCAA scoring leader Bobby Brink (PHI) but Benning continues to drive his team’s offence from the back end. He is a highly mobile defender who distributes well and loves to launch bombs from the top of the circle–such as the slapshot that clinched the 2021-22 Championship for Denver. No other defensive prospect in Florida’s pipeline possesses higher offensive upside than Benning, provided he can transition his skillset to the next level. Ben Gehrels

March 2022 – Benning is having an incredibly successful sophomore season as a key part of a dominant U of Denver squad. He was named Player of the Week in his NCAA Division in late February 2022, and currently sits second league-wide for goal scoring by a defenceman (14) behind New Jersey Devils prospect Luke Hughes. Benning’s star potential remains low for the moment because he is a product of the AJHL (prior to college), which has fewer comparables than more common junior leagues. However, he likely has the most upside from a fantasy perspective of any defenceman in Florida’s pipeline right now—picture a Vince Dunn or Nick Leddy type who can score 35+ points with about two shots per game and time on PP2. Ben Gehrels

October 2020 – Benning was drafted 95th overall by the Panthers. Benning is expected to spend at least two years in college before turning pro.  Jokke Nevalainen

August 2019 – Following in the steps of Cale Makar, Benning is playing his draft year in the AJHL and will likely improve on the point-per-game pace that he set last year. The dynamic blueliner is the modern-day defender that every team craves. He skates well, moves the puck up the ice and his game is quite good in transition. He is shifty through the neutral zone and does a good job of evading defenders as he walks the blue line. He does a good job of distributing the puck from the point. He opens up passing lanes by skating the blueline and makes quick decisions when filtering the puck down towards the front of the net. He is slight at just 5’9″ and 170lbs but the Sherwood Park Crusader will likely be among the best defencemen on the AJHL circuit. With a strong draft year, Benning could be a massive riser throughout the year. Ranked anywhere between 50 and 100 on early-season publications, Benning has the potential to break into the first round by seasons end. Tony Ferrari