As we approach the end of October, we have come close to nearly a month’s worth of WHL hockey. I got to say, with fans allowed at the rinks again, the quality of play has improved drastically. One player in particular that is thriving off the crowds and his overall team’s play is Chilliwack-native, Zach Benson.
(Brian Liesse / WHL)
Seven-games into the season, the 16-year-old forward is already marking himself down as one of the most potent and reliable scorers in the WHL. Benson has clinched himself five goals and five assists a piece for ten points in what is technically his rookie campaign, since he was listed as an alternate player for the duration of the abbreviated 2020/2021 season. What makes this even more impressive is that he mostly plays in a limited role on the Winnipeg ICE’s third line alongside hometown hero, Skyler Bruce, and grizzled veteran, Cole Muir.
While a lot of the spotlight has been shined on 2022 NHL Draft eligibles Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie on Winnipeg’s top two lines, Benson has been able to flourish in a depth role with the team and pick up crucial minutes at 5-on-5 and on special teams.
Here’s a look at Zachary Benson’s second of the night! pic.twitter.com/k7ZquXVQNC
— Winnipeg ICE (@WHLWpgICE) October 7, 2021
Benson has come a long way from his humble emergence in Chilliwack’s and Abbotsford’s hockey programs. At the abrupt end to the 2019/2020 hockey season, Benson led the CSSHL U15 Prep league in points while playing at the Yale Hockey Academy. His tremendous offensive vision and utilities notched him 88 points in 35 games as a second year player, enough to even surpass young hockey phenom and current Regina Pat, Connor Bedard.
The one thing that held WHL scouts back from jumping on Benson early on in the draft was his size… coming in at 5’5 and 125lbs. I for one can tell you, even at that age, that will place someone in the “undersized” category. Even last season, Benson entered the league at an astonishing 5’7 and 150lbs, but it didn’t stop his scoring pattern, posting 20 points as a 15-year-old earlier this year.
Over the summer after soaking up some sun and kicking his training into second gear, Benson was able to add three inches to his height and now comes in at a respectable 5’10. Along with the added height, Zach has added some extra flair and some true grit to his game, making him a zesty prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft. Come draft time, will scouts once again deter themselves from selecting Benson due to size?..
Only time will tell, but let’s hope they learn from other’s past mistakes.
Benson gets the Power Play goal!
Boucher and Streule with the assists pic.twitter.com/HDaBkjYP6c— Winnipeg ICE (@WHLWpgICE) October 10, 2021