LA Kings Draft: Matthew Beniers 2021 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Scouting Report

"March 2021 – Michigan’s NCAA Tournament came to a premature end before they even played a game. Having been able to keep COVID out of the locker room in the new year, Michigan had to pull out of the tournament the day of their first game due to health and safety protocols. Matthew Beniers had a very good season that has earned him the right to be in the discussion for first overall. He may be the safest pick in the draft class, safely projecting as a solid two-way center who can drive play positively and make his linemates better. He may not have true number one center upside but there aren’t many players who project as top-line centers or number-one defenders in this draft class. Beniers seems to have the knack for generating offense for himself and his teammates with an elite hockey sense and the requisite skill to make just about any play. Balancing intelligence and skill with his ability to utilize his teammates should make him a solid top-six center at the NHL level. Dobber Prospects/Ferrari"

Quotables

“My ability to play in all situations, I think that that’s one strength to my game,” Beniers told the Detroit Free Press. “My ability to play defense, produce offensively but also play penalty kill or power play, kind of whatever (Michigan) needs.

“Whatever role they want me to fill, I can fill.”

Production

• 19-20: 18G, 23A, 24 PIM in 44 games (USNDP U18)
• 19-20: 7G, 9A, 10 PIM, +5 in 16 games (USNTDP in USHL play)
• 20-21: 10G, 14A, 0 PIM, +21 in 24 games (Michigan)
• 2021: 1G, 2A, 2 PIM, +3 in 7 games (Team USA WJC)