Zach Benson’s winding road primed for next stop — the NHL draft

If not, the kids made do.

“Definitely locations where there wasn’t a hockey camp in range,” said Benson, the sixth-ranked North American skater heading into next week’s NHL draft. “We were trying to stay active in fun ways — go to the pool, go to the waterpark, go play some tennis.

“Just different things.”

That desire to lace up his skates whenever possible continued once the Chilliwack, B.C., product made the Western Hockey League and began starring for the Winnipeg Ice.

Head coach James Patrick had a number of conversations with the baby-faced, third-year forward this season about his energy levels.

The undersized Benson was playing big minutes on the way to finishing third in WHL scoring with 36 goals and 98 points in 60 games, but would still take his skates home to play outdoors on frigid Manitoba nights with his billet family.

“If a kid says he’s going to skate outside because he loves the game so much, I’m not going to stop him,” said Patrick, adding of Benson’s past summer sojourns: “They might be going in the middle of the wilds of B.C. … he would still be trying to find a rink.”

After countless hours on country roads on the lookout for where the puck would next drop, another stop in Benson’s career is right around the corner at the draft.

“Loves to score, loves the offensive side, loves to have the puck,” NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. “In the offensive zone, he’s scary good.”

Connor Bedard, expected to go No. 1 overall next Wednesday in Nashville, has known Benson since their days in spring hockey.

“Hell of a player,” Bedard said of Benson. “Got all that skill and he’s a hound on the puck.”

Despite a five-foot-nine, 170-pound frame, the 18-year-old Benson’s size has never held him back. But Patrick was concerned before they’d ever met face-to-face.

The Ice, who will relocate to Washington state next season, conducted video conference calls during the COVID-19 pandemic ahead of the shortened 2020-21 campaign.

“The very first time Zach was on — he’s 15 (at the time) — he looked like he was 10,” Patrick recalled. “I’m not exaggerating when I’m saying 10 years old. He could have fit in with a group of 10-year-old kids.”

The plan was to have the 140-pound winger, who’s been compared to Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher, play some games with Winnipeg in the WHL’s Regina bubble.

Benson, however, had other ideas.

He was the best player on the ice in his first practice. The plan had to be revisited.

“I remember going, ‘I gotta make sure he’s not on the ice against the real big, physical guys,'” Patrick said. “Very first shift he played, we iced the puck. (The other team) changed their line and he was up against this kid who was 240 pounds.”

What happened next?

“It was totally fine,” Patrick continued. “(Benson) knew how to position himself. He plays with his head up. He is relentless.”

Marr said the player’s willingness to go against larger opponents is one of his key attributes.

“Nothing intimidates him,” Marr said. “Doesn’t care how big you are, doesn’t care if he’s going to get hit on the play — nothing’s going to stop him in the offensive zone.”

Patrick said the off-ice personality shown by Benson, who had great chemistry with Buffalo Sabres draft pick Matthew Savoie for Winnipeg in 2022-23, also shines through.

“He’d always be looking at me with this grin,” said the coach. “I’m talking to the whole team … and he’s got the grin on. I’ve got to almost put up my hand over my mouth to stop from laughing.

“Always had a smile on his face with a bit of a mischievous grin attached.”

Just don’t mistake that enthusiasm for a class clown.

“So competitive, so driven, but has fun at the rink,” Patrick said. “That’s who he is.”

One thing Benson won’t be doing this summer is hitting the road for carnival season with the NHL beckoning.

So when he wasn’t looking for free ice on those long trips, how did he help the family business? At the mini doughnut stall.

“Only thing I can handle … no rides,” Benson said with that wide smile. “I don’t think my dad trusted me with rides.”

After all, he was more interested in finding a hockey game.

-With files from Gemma Karstens-Smith.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2023.

___

Follow @JClipperton_CP on Twitter.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Zach Benson’s winding road primed for next stop — the NHL draft

Our Community