Quick Facts
TaurusBiography
Zachary Ruben Benson (born May 12, 2005) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for theBuffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 13th overall by the Sabres in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing career
Benson finished third in WHL scoring in 2022–23 with 36 goals and 98 points in 60 games, behind fellow BC-born prospect Connor Bedard.
On July 28, 2023, Benson signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres. On October 12, 2023, Benson made his NHL debut against the New York Rangers, where he logged a minor penalty in a 5–1 loss. On November 22, 2023, Benson scored his first career goal in a 3–4 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals.
International play
At the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Benson had two goals and five assists in five games, helping Canada win gold.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2020–21 | Winnipeg Ice | WHL | 24 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | Winnipeg Ice | WHL | 58 | 25 | 38 | 63 | 28 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 10 | ||
| 2022–23 | Winnipeg Ice | WHL | 60 | 36 | 62 | 98 | 49 | 15 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 8 | ||
| WHL totals | 142 | 71 | 110 | 181 | 89 | 30 | 16 | 24 | 40 | 18 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Canada | HG18 |  | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | |
| Junior totals | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | ||||
Awards and honours
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| WHL | ||
| East First All-Star Team | 2023 | |
| CHL Third All-Star Team | 2023 | |