Benson Ranked 6th by NHL Central Scouting
April 18, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release
The Western Hockey League is proud to announce 54 WHL players have been named to NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft. The Final Rankings were issued Tuesday by the NHL Central Scouting Service.
Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard tops the list as the number-one rated North American Skater. He is joined by 11 other WHL skaters among the top 28 of the North American Skaters rankings, including Winnipeg ICE forward Zach Benson (sixth), Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nate Danielson (seventh) and Vancouver Giants forward Samuel Honzek (ninth).
In 60 WHL regular season games, Benson recorded 36 goals and 62 points for 98 points. He also finished the WHL regular season in the top 10 of numerous individual categories: third in points with 98, tied for sixth in assists with 62, second in plus/minus at +68, tied for third in game winning goals with eight, second in shorthanded goals with six, tied for sixth in shorthanded assists with three, tied for seventh in first goals with seven and was fifth in points per game at 1.63.
Benson was named a WHL East Division First Team All Star along with teammates Daniel Hauser, Ben Zloty and Connor McClennon.
For the third consecutive season, the WHL boasts the top North American Goaltender in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings. Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Carson Bjarnason is the top-ranked North American Goaltender. The product of Carberry, Man. is followed by Seattle Thunderbirds puck-stopper Scott Ratzlaff (fourth), Tri-City Americans goaltender Tomas Suchanek (ninth) and Portland Winterhawks netminder Jan Spunar (10th) in the top 10 among North American Goaltenders.
Overall, 20 of 22 WHL Clubs are represented in the Final Rankings. The Seattle Thunderbirds lead the way with six players on the list, while the Vancouver Giants are represented by five players. The Red Deer Rebels have four players named to the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings, while the Brandon Wheat Kings, Everett Silvertips, Kelowna Rockets, Portland Winterhawks, Prince George Cougars, Saskatoon Blades, Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans each have three players on the Final Rankings. Six WHL Clubs are represented with two players on the lists, while three further WHL Clubs have a single player on NHL Central Scouting's lists.
A total of 26 WHL forwards find themselves on the Final Rankings, joined by 19 WHL defencemen and nine WHL goaltenders.
Western Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2023
- Royals Parker and Kipkie Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Victoria Royals
- 7 Winterhawks Alumni Set to Compete in AHL Calder Cup Playoffs - Portland Winterhawks
- Athletic Therapist Midge Peterson Not Returning for 2023-24 Season - Tri-City Americans
- Vojtech Port and Cole Miller Ranked by NHL Central Scouting - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Trio Cracks Final Rankings - Kelowna Rockets
- Cagnoni, Sotheran, Špunar Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Portland Winterhawks
- Benson Ranked 6th by NHL Central Scouting - Winnipeg Ice
- Three Americans Players Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Tri-City Americans
- Weinstein, De Luca, Michaluk Among 54 WHL Players Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Spokane Chiefs
- Four Rebels Listed in NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings - Red Deer Rebels
- Pats Ink Manitoba U18 AAA Defenceman of the Year Aaron Krestanowich - Regina Pats
- Chadwick, Wormald Named to Final Rankings - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Five GMen on NHL CSS Final Ranking - Vancouver Giants
- RE/MAX Presents: Nickelodeon Night Raises Nearly $160,000 in Support of CMN - WHL
- Hammell, Roest, Metzger Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Everett Silvertips
- 54 WHL Players Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - Prince George Cougars
- Yager, Unger Crack NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Danielson, Mantei & Bjarnason Among Wheat Kings on NHL Central Scoutings Final Rankings - Brandon Wheat Kings
- 54 WHL Players Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings - WHL
- Warriors Ready for Battle on Home Ice in Game 3 - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Bedard & Valis Named to NHL Central Scouting's Final Draft Rankings - Regina Pats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
