Matt Benning

Matthew Benning (born May 25, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Edmonton Oilers and the Nashville Predators. He was selected 175th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins.

Matt Benning
Born (1994-05-25) May 25, 1994
St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 San Jose Sharks
Edmonton Oilers
Nashville Predators
NHL Draft 175th overall, 2012
Boston Bruins
Playing career 2016–present

Playing career

Benning played two seasons of Junior A hockey for the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), one season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints junior team, then played for the Northeastern University Huskies from 2013 to 2016.

As Benning remained an un-signed draft pick of the Boston Bruins, he opted to sign a two-year, entry-level contract with his hometown club, the Edmonton Oilers on August 27, 2016.[1]

After attending his first Oilers training camp, he unexpectedly made the Oilers opening night roster for the 2016–17 season. After sitting as a healthy scratch, he was reassigned to make his professional debut with AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. After two games with the Condors, Benning was recalled and made his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 1, 2016.[2] He scored his first NHL goal against Cory Schneider of the New Jersey Devils on January 7, 2017.[3]

As an impending restricted free agent and due to salary cap considerations, Benning was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Oilers on October 7, 2020, and was released to free agency.[4]

On October 9, 2020, Benning signed a two-year contract with the Nashville Predators worth $1 million per season.[5]

At the conclusion of his contract with the Predators, Benning left as a free agent and was signed to a four-year, $5 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 13, 2022.[6]

Personal life

Benning was born in St. Albert, Alberta in 1994. Benning is the son of former NHL defenseman Brian Benning, who was born in Edmonton and played for the same AJHL Saints franchise (then located in St. Albert) 27 years before his son, and also featured with the Oilers through his 10-year, 568 game career. His uncle, Jim Benning, played 10 seasons as an NHL defenseman and is the former general manager of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks.[7]

Benning is the older brother of Florida Panthers defenseman Mike Benning.[8]

Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 Spruce Grove Saints AJHL 43 0 7 7 65 13 0 1 1 20
2011–12 Spruce Grove Saints AJHL 44 4 14 18 87 11 2 1 3 16
2012–13 Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 57 10 16 26 73 11 1 1 2 6
2013–14 Northeastern University HE 33 3 10 13 28 — — — — —
2014–15 Northeastern University HE 36 0 24 24 36 — — — — —
2015–16 Northeastern University HE 41 6 13 19 37 — — — — —
2016–17 Bakersfield Condors AHL 2 1 1 2 0 — — — — —
2016–17 Edmonton Oilers NHL 62 3 12 15 29 12 0 3 3 12
2017–18 Edmonton Oilers NHL 73 6 15 21 49 — — — — —
2018–19 Edmonton Oilers NHL 70 5 12 17 33 — — — — —
2019–20 Edmonton Oilers NHL 43 1 7 8 15 4 0 1 1 6
2019–20 Bakersfield Condors AHL 3 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2020–21 Nashville Predators NHL 53 1 3 4 30 5 0 0 0 6
2021–22 Nashville Predators NHL 65 0 11 11 39 3 0 1 1 0
2022–23 San Jose Sharks NHL 77 1 23 24 26 — — — — —
NHL totals 443 17 83 100 221 24 0 5 5 24

See also

References
  1. "College free agent, Matt Benning signs with Oilers". Edmonton Journal. August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  2. "Benning not to blame for loss". thehockeywriters.com. November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  3. Frankson, Ryan (January 7, 2017). "GAME STORY: Oilers 2, Devils 1". Newark, NJ: National Hockey League. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  4. "Oilers won't qualify 8 RFA's". The Sports Network. October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  5. "Predators add blue-liner Matt Benning on two-year deal". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  6. "Sharks sign defenseman Matt Benning". San Jose Sharks. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  7. "Oilers ink St. Albert's Matt Benning to two-year deal". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  8. "Florida Panthers agree to terms with Defenseman Mike Benning". Florida Panthers. April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
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