2019-20 Team: Sherwood Park Crusaders – AJHL Date of Birth: Jan. 05, 2002 Place of Birth: St. Albert, AB, Canada Ht: 5-foot-10 Wt: 174 pounds He is highly proficient at jazz and classical music but also works with funk, pop, rock and dance bands on electric bass as well. His wrist shot is also effective when he joins the rush as a trailer. He does a good job of distributing the puck from the point. Benning also makes good decisions about when to pinch at the blue line to create more offence. His lateral movement and play-making ability allow him to efficiently quarterback the power play. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. His shot is an underrated weapon in his arsenal. If he can translate his game into the pro ranks, he could be a real draft steal. The dynamic blueliner is the modern-day defender that every team craves. He followed that up with 75 points in 54 games played this past season, winning the AJHL and CJHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman award. By combining his slick hands and his skating he finds the moves to make effective zone entries. Born January 5th, 2002 — St. Albert, Alberta

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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, DobberProspects, “A mobile, two-way defender that NHL teams covet. It was the most points by an AJHL defenceman and won him the league’s Rookie of the Year award. Benning opted to play for the Sherwood Park Crusaders in the AJHL to keep his college options open. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! On average, he projects as a third-round pick and could maybe squeak into the late second round if a team really loves him.

Your email address will not be published. Benning can keep them low and give teammates the chance to get tips or rebounds.

Benning is also able to lead the rush, carrying it through the neutral zone. He is the general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. Michael Benning is an all around dman with a strong defensive game and developing offensive game. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'thehockeywriters_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',664,'0','0'])); A nice little play here by Michael Benning. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. A graduate of The Ohio State University (B.M. Deciding to keep his NCAA options open, Benning chose to remain in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) for his draft year.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'thehockeywriters_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',662,'0','0'])); In his rookie season, he posted 61 points in 60 games played which tied him for the league lead in points by a defenseman.

I’m not a huge fan of that criticism for smaller players and I think he more than makes up for it with his lateral agility and his ability to read plays at such a high level. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2020 NHL Draft. He skates well, moves the puck up the ice and his game is quite good in transition. Learn how your comment data is processed. Benning has an explosive first step. He is more quick than fast though.

Benning also has quick feet, giving him good lateral agility. This led to a breakaway goal, and one of his three assists on the night. Defensively he gets by on his above-average skating and a high hockey IQ. On the rush, he forces defenders to the outside, rubbing them off the puck or forcing them to dump it in. Benning has been dominant this year.

Michael Benning of @SPcrusaders (@TheAJHL) named #cjhlhockey's Top Defenceman for 2019-20. Height 5’10” — Weight 177 lbs [178 cm/80 kg]. Michael studied with Paul Robinson and Andy Woodson (classical and jazz respectively). Leads to a solid scoring chance in front.#2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/Tujm2IhCez. Michael Benning is a Chicago-based composer, arranger, educator, and professional bassist. Benning will need to bulk up and get stronger to play this game at the pro level.

The comparison with Cale Makar is hard to ignore, and while he won’t likely reach the same heights, he’s still got the ability to be a second-pairing defenseman in the NHL. Jazz Studies 2012). He likes to shoot, utilizing his slap shot often after getting open on the point, but his passing is exceptional. Benning might be a little undersized, but he overcomes that through his skating and his smarts.

The third result is Michael R Benning age 60s in Swampscott, MA. His lateral agility allows him to open shooting lanes and get the puck past defenders. Last season, Benning scored 10 goals and 51 assists for 61 points in 60 games. Benning’s key strengths are that he understands the game situationally, with strong NHL bloodlines, and his competitiveness. He’s a good skater and puckhandler who likes to carry the puck out. He’ll have a lot to prove at the University of Denver next season. Of course, that will change when he joins the University of Denver next season.

Benning had the most points by a defenceman in the AJHL.

He can avoid forecheckers and get the puck up the ice in transition quickly. Benning might not have elite straight-line speed but he has an excellent first step and uses his quickness to create separation early.

The questions will remain due to his lack of size and the fact that he hasn’t played against high-level competition yet. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'thehockeywriters_com-box-3','ezslot_9',652,'0','0'])); Details: https://t.co/eBA3vtuD09 – Photo credit: https://t.co/HLZXMtLKGy pic.twitter.com/mk5DEuUwNN.

Benning is able to make a smart pass up the ice to get things going and can also hit a long breakaway pass if a forward gets behind the defence. He has excellent edgework and pivots. He rarely makes mistakes with the puck and anticipates the play well. Part of hockey royalty, Michael Benning‘s grandfather, Elmer Benning was a long-time scout for the Montreal Canadiens. Michael Benning. He also isn’t afraid to engage in puck battles.