Matty Beniers is on the rise in Michigan
Being included in the NHL is stressful enough, but imagine you’re in the history books before you even play a game. That’s the reality for University of Michigan center Matty Beniers, who became the first draft pick in Seattle history as the Kraken Open took second place overall in 2021.
After a stellar freshman campaign with the Wolverines, expectations around Beniers were high and although he hit a score early on, his offensive results were sub-standard. his lofty.
“He’s having trouble coming out of the gate in terms of numbers and I think that’s weighing on him; he’s not like Matty Beniers,” coach Mel Pearson said. “Usually I tell people that when he walked in the door he made us a better team based solely on his attitude and outgoing personality – he was always positive. But a couple of weeks Before, you could tell he wasn’t like that.”
To help get Beniers back on track, Pearson sent a message: Just get back to who you are, stay true to yourself, and have fun. He also shared an article with sophomores about Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner, who has started this season with an atypical assist in seven games after the play- off lackluster with Montreal last season. Marner’s solution was to cut social media and get back to the fun and now the fit winger is hitting close to a point per game in Toronto.
“It was nice to see him talk about that,” Beniers said. “For me, the ball doesn’t go into the net – everyone has it. I’m not a person who focuses on external pressure as much as my personal expectations: I want to help the team, I want to be back. go-go to a guy who scores and assists and I didn’t do my part worrying about anything else That was my change of mind and the last few games It’s been a lot of fun.”
Son, have them. Beniers had a contest that saw him score twice per game for three straight wins, including a win over evenly matched Michigan State and the first of two wins in a sweep. Penn State (he had a goal in the second game). The Wolverines are currently the highest ranked team in the country and have a 10-2 record.
Meanwhile, the Beniers have climbed to third in the scoring team behind defender Owen Power (who went to Buffalo with the first overall pick in 2021) and teammate Kent Johnson, who reached the first round of Columbus Blue Jackets.
“He was always a grown-up kid, but he took it one step further,” Pearson said. “You’re going to have a hard time anywhere, just embrace it. You have to struggle to grow. He’s been trying to be there, working hard and doing other things to help our team win the game. won. Just an extraordinary young man.”
Beniers, who wears the ‘A’ tag for werewolves, has made sure to learn from all the leaders he has played with in the past. When he was at the NTDP, his captain was future North Dakota University star defender Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators’ first-rounder). When Beniers got the chance to play for Team America at the World Championships, it was NHLers like Justin Abdelkader and Brian Boyle.
Even with the slump already in play, the Beniers will still be eyeing a lot of people for the rest of the season thanks to high draft status and early placement as Seattle’s top prospect. And while he’s playing away from the Climate Pledge Arena right now, Beniers is still watching the team that drafted him.
“My roommates and I watch a lot on TV – like, so many, so much“, said Beniers. Great to see how they do it. They haven’t had the best start yet, but it’s been a long season. “
Wolverines fans also hope their campaign is just as long – like during the run to the national championship. First Beniers will have a chance to win consecutive gold at the world juniors in Edmonton, but who says he can’t do both?
https://www.si.com/hockey/news/matty-beniers-is-surging-at-michigan Matty Beniers is on the rise in Michigan
