Nashville, Tenn. (WGR 550) - With the 13th overall pick in Round 1 of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select left winger Zach Benson from the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Benson, 18, stands in at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, and has spent the last three seasons playing in the WHL with Winnipeg. During that time, Benson has dressed in 142 games, scoring 71 goals and picking up 110 assists for 181 points.
This past season saw Benson produce a torrent pace on the wing with 36 goals and 62 assists for 98 points in 60 games. In 15 playoff games with the Ice, Benson was able to net seven goals and tack on 10 assists for 17 points.
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Benson has spent the last two seasons playing with Buffalo's first-round pick (9th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, Matthew Savoie.
Here's more on Benson's game from WGR's own Brayton Wilson:
"Benson is one of the more electrifying playmakers in the 2023 NHL Draft following this past season in the Western Hockey League with the Winnipeg Ice.
"One trait that stands out with Benson’s game is his shiftiness on the ice thanks to his skill with the puck on his stick. He handles the puck incredibly well, with control, and is able to stickhandle his way through a phonebooth to make a play.
"While he doesn’t have the frame and strength to always succeed at skating through opposing defenders, Benson has the confidence to make some eye-opening plays and set up some prime scoring opportunities. He will learn soon enough he may not be able to make all those plays as he grows his game, but that probably won’t deter his confidence.
"On the fly, Benson has very good speed to either generate a scoring chance, or flat-out beat a defender in his pursuit to the net with the puck. While his skating style could use some perfecting heading into the next level, there’s no denying his ability to create separation or dictate pace on the fly. He’s also very soft on his feet in order to add to his shiftiness on the ice.
"Benson is a gifted passer in all three zones of the ice with the ability to move the puck out of trouble, in transition, and in some tough spots on the ice to generate a scoring chance.
"While his shot, like his skating, could be perfected heading into the next level, he is pretty clutch when he has the open space or is in alone on the opposing goalie to find the back of the net.
"In addition, he showed this season he can be a reliable player at both ends of the ice."
The Sabres will next select with the 39th overall pick, originally owned by the Philadelphia Flyers, in Thursday's second round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
