Florida Panthers‘ 4th round pick in the 2020 draft (#95 overall), defenseman Mike Benning(20) gets himself a 3-year NHL entry level deal, leaving 1 season at University Of Denver Pioneers on the table.
The 5’9″ 177 lbs. blue liner is small, but leaves with a very accountable +55 rating and scored 10+ goals and 20+ assists as a sophomore and junior.
He is also only 1 season off winning the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Championship.
The 21-year from Edmonton, AB is with the big club for playoffs, but potentially should head to Charlotte Checkers to help them win a Calder Cup.
He actually scores 9 points in 18 playoff games with a +6 rating, which may have factored in the decision to keep him around another 1-year deal with the Panthers after also gaining a career high 23 assists.
In 56 games, he scores almost exact points from a year earlier and scores a 1st recall, as the parent club is absolutely struggling with injuries down the stretch.
He has 4 assists in 13 NHL games, getting his footing on a team his dad, Brian Benning(2) played on the inaugural 1993-1994 team.