BUFFALO | Jonathan Marchessault never had the good fortune to hear his name in an NHL draft. But this reality does not prevent him from inspiring the generation of players who follow him. Zach Benson is part of the group that wants to model his game on that of the right winger of the Vegas Golden Knights.
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Like Marchessault, Benson does not exactly have the physique of the Ferré Giant. According to numbers released by NHL Central Scouting, the Winnipeg Ice winger is 5’9″ and weighs 163 lbs.
“I play a lot bigger than my stature,” Benson replied in an interview with THE Log, between interviews with NHL teams for the evaluation camp before the NHL Draft. I need that philosophy to have a long career in the NHL.”
“I look at forwards like Brayden Point and Mitch Marner.”
After a short break, the winger from Chilliwack, British Columbia, adds another name to his list.
“There is also Jonathan Marchessault. If I’m not mistaken, Marchessault has led the NHL in goals since the start of the playoffs. I think he’s just 5’9″ and he dominates in the final. I am convinced that the Golden Knights are happy to count on him.
We will forgive the tiny mistake. On this Thursday, June 8, the date of the interview, Leon Draisaitl, of the Oilers, remained in the lead among scorers with 13 goals. Marchessault however caught up with him the same evening, hitting the target in a third game in a row in the final.
rare skills
“If he was two inches taller, he would definitely be a top-five pick,” a Western Conference scout predicted. Benson is a big talent. He has a sense of the elite game and it is the same for his level of competition. You can count on him every night, he never disappoints you.
This quote sums up the sixth best prospect among North American players from the NHL Central Scouting.
Benson knows his intelligence on the ice puts him in a rare category.
“Yes, it’s flattering when you say I’m one of the players with the best hockey IQ,” he replied. I have a good vision of the game since my youth. I consider myself a very intelligent player on the ice. I watch a lot of hockey.
After Bedard
In 60 games this season in Winnipeg of the Junior League West, Benson finished atop his team in scoring with 98 points (36 goals, 52 assists). He beat two first-round picks in the 2022 draft, Matthew Savoie (95 points and 9e Sabers pick) and Conor Geekie (77 points, 11e choice of the Coyotes).
Photo courtesy, Winnipeg Ice
“We had a really good team with the Ice,” Benson said. I played with Savoie for the majority of the season. We had a great bond. Matt and Conor are two very talented players. I like to surround myself with them.”
In the WHL, only Connor Bedard (143 points) and Chase Wheatcroft (107 points) earned more points. Bedard needs no introduction, as Wheatcroft was playing his 20th year.
Without getting arrogant, Benson sat comfortably on his couch when he was told that he was the other young phenomenon on his circuit.
“I was not too surprised by my offensive contribution, underlined the number 9 of Ice. There are several good offensive players. But I was preparing for a big year. I was ready, I was looking forward to it. I have a high level of competition. I also consider myself a consistent player.
A lofty goal
Benson won’t have to wait too long in the stands at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. He will be among the first elected.
“We all want to get out as soon as possible,” he said. I am no different. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. However, I realize that the most important work will come after the draft. I want to become a good player in the NHL. I have the mentality that the team that picks me up will be lucky. I will do my job to make them happy and one day win the Stanley Cup.
And if this team was the Montreal Canadiens?
“Montreal would be a super cool city. I grew up in Canada. We always talk about the two big hockey cities, Montreal and Toronto. The Canadian represents a dream for many young players.