Zach Benson

A cerebral playmaker made for the modern game

May 16, 2023

Height: 5’9”
Weight: 163 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Position: Wing
Team: Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
Nationality: Canada

The Draft Prospectus Ranking: #6

As the prototypical NHL forward has evolved over the years, Zach Benson's skillset fits precisely what teams look for nowadays. Standing only 5’9”, Benson would likely have been written off two decades ago simply for his size.

With the letter of the law now being strictly enforced, smaller players now have a place in the NHL and have thrived.

What Benson lacks in size, he makes up for with intelligence. Highly regarded as one of the most intuitive players in the draft, he sees the ice differently from other players, quickly analyzing his surroundings to determine the next step.

“He’s the master of slipping pucks through defenders to moving teammates, and nearly as proficient at stealing back possession.” - Mitch Brown, EliteProspects

Playing with the Winnipeg Ice, the top team in the WHL, Benson is on a line alongside some highly drafted players in Matthew Savoie, Morgan Geekie, and Zach Ostapchuk. Even among these highly regarded prospects, Benson leads the group in points. The Ice have stormed through the WHL playoffs, currently competing in the WHL Finals as they look to qualify for the Memorial Cup.

Not only is he one of the top draft-eligible players, Benson has also been one of the best overall players in Canadian juniors. Near the top of the leaderboards in scoring, Benson has logged 98 points (36 goals, 62 assists) - good enough for second among draft-eligible prospects in the WHL behind only Connor Bedard.

In the CHL Top Prospects game in January, Benson found himself on the wing of Bedard - one of the most sought-after positions of the night. On the scoreboard, Benson outperformed Bedard as he buried a goal off a one-timer in the game's waning moments, with Bedard being held pointless.

🥅 Not only does Benson create for himself and look impressive while doing so, but he also brings the best out in his teammates. An elite passer, Benson can fit the puck in the tightest of spaces onto the tape in an optimal position.

With the puck on his stick, Benson controls the pace of play. He isn’t the quickest of players and likes to slow down the game's speed. The way he slows the game down allows his teammates to find weak spots within the defense. From there, he is a surgeon with the puck.

Benson is constantly moving his feet within the offensive zone. He’s rarely stagnant, making it difficult for the opposition to keep up with his every move. Combined with his diminutive stature, Benson finds himself getting lost within the offensive zone, as he seeks open space.

Benson is a terror on the power play. Operating from the half-wall, he quarterbacks his unit on the man advantage. Though his numbers don’t reflect it, the Ice, despite all their success, finished only eighth (of 22) in in WHL power play percentage.

Benson’s shot should not be undervalued as we gush about his passing. He’s more than capable of racking up the goals, as he’s proven this season. Power is not his strong suit when taking his chance on target, as he prefers to take his opportunities within the circles, picking out corners.

What holds Benson back most is his size. It hasn’t been much of an issue for him playing in the WHL, but when up against larger defenders, he can easily be knocked off the puck. He has the mechanics to protect the puck but struggles with overpowering defenders.

Benson isn’t the quickest player on the ice and has a long stride which slows down his straight line speed. His speed shouldn’t cause him too many issues at the next level, as his acute thinking on the ice finds him in the right spot more often than not.

🏒 A spitfire in the defensive zone, this kid's engine never stops, hounding defenders until he reclaims possession of the puck. Like his offensive game, Benson beats you with his brains, not just his stick skills.

The slightest mistake made by an offensive player can easily result in a turnover with Benson nearby. Stepping quickly into passing lanes, he anticipates the puck carriers' next move or makes a quick stick lift from behind, which he uses as his best tool in puck retrieval.

Benson is a high-end penalty killer and projects to play on a top PK unit in the NHL.

📊 There’s a high probability Benson is selected outside the top 10 come draft day. The only thing that scouts can pin against Benson is his size, but plenty of players have been putting the size issue to rest over the past few years.

Benson plays a similar game to Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning. An endless motor and nose for the puck will see him earning top-6 minutes in the NHL. It will likely take a year or two before we see him pulling on an NHL sweater as he will look to fill out as his game matures - but worth the wait.

Benson’s full-compliment of tools makes him tailor made for top-6 role on any team at the NHL level. While he could earn ice-time early in his career on a third line, as he is such a sound defender, it’s just a matter of time before a coach wants to have him alongside the teams most skilled players.

Look for Benson to best selected between seventh and eleventh overall come draft night.