Matty Beniers Bio
Matthew Beniers is an American professional ice hockey player who plays center and serves as an alternate captain for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected second overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Beniers made an immediate impact at the professional level and earned the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2023. He played college ice hockey at the University of Michigan, where his scoring touch and two-way responsibility established him as one of the most polished prospects of his draft class. Standing 188 centimeters tall and weighing 82 kilograms, Beniers combines size with skill, and his continued development has positioned him as a cornerstone of the Kraken franchise.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Beniers was born on November 5, 2002, in Hingham, Massachusetts. He was raised by his father, Bob Beniers, and his mother, Christine Maglione. His father played collegiate football at Cornell University, while his mother was once an understudy for A Chorus Line on Broadway before later enrolling in law school. Growing up in a New England household with strong athletic and creative influences, Beniers developed an early passion for hockey and quickly progressed through local youth programs.
Beniers joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, which competes in the United States Hockey League (USHL). During the 2018–19 season, his first year with the program, he recorded 10 goals and 13 assists in 42 games. In 2019–20, he served as alternate captain and ranked second on the team in scoring with 18 goals and 23 assists in 44 games, demonstrating the leadership qualities and offensive consistency that would later define his career.
Path to Hockey
Originally committed to play college ice hockey at Harvard, Beniers shifted his plans when the Ivy League cancelled its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He enrolled at the University of Michigan in August 2020 and immediately stepped into a featured role for the Wolverines. In his freshman season, he recorded 10 goals and 14 assists in 24 games, led the Big Ten in on-ice rating with a plus-21, and ranked among the top first-time NHL Draft-eligible NCAA players in goals and shots on goal per game. He also registered his first collegiate hat-trick on February 26, 2021, against Arizona State and later recorded a four-point game against Minnesota on March 5.
During his sophomore year at Michigan, Beniers became the Big Ten Scoring Champion, posting 27 points in 20 conference games and 43 points in 37 total games. His performance earned him unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten First Team, a Big Ten Player of the Year finalist nod, AHCA West First Team All-American honors, and a finalist position for the Hobey Baker Award. On the international stage, he represented the United States at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships, the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and the 2021 IIHF World Championship, helping Team USA capture a bronze medal and a World Juniors gold medal.
Matty Beniers Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Before turning professional, Beniers built his resume as a two-way center capable of driving offense in all situations. His two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program prepared him for the physical and mental demands of major junior and collegiate competition. His freshman campaign at Michigan confirmed his status as a top NHL prospect, with 24 points in 24 games and elite underlying metrics. By the end of his sophomore season, he had emerged as one of the most complete forwards available for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Entering the 2021 NHL Entry Draft as a consensus top prospect, Matthew Beniers was selected second overall by the Seattle Kraken, becoming the expansion franchise’s first-ever draft pick. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract on April 10, 2022, and made his NHL debut two days later, recording his first NHL assist against the Calgary Flames. He scored his first NHL goal on April 16 against the New Jersey Devils and finished the 2021–22 season with three goals and nine points in 10 games.
In his first full NHL season in 2022–23, Beniers appeared in 80 regular season games and led all rookies with 57 points, tying for the rookie goal lead with 24. He was named the Kraken’s representative for the 2023 NHL All-Star Game, though he ultimately missed the event due to injury following a hit from Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers. On June 26, 2023, he was announced as the winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy, becoming the first player in Kraken history to claim a major NHL individual award.
Seattle Kraken Era (2022–Present)
On August 20, 2024, the Kraken and Beniers agreed to a seven-year, $50 million contract extension, with the organization describing him as a cornerstone of the franchise. The deal reflects Seattle’s commitment to building around a young, two-way center capable of playing in all situations. Beniers continues to handle top-six responsibilities and alternate captain duties for the Kraken, contributing in both even-strength and special-teams roles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Beniers is widely regarded as a complete two-way center whose game emphasizes pace, hockey sense, and responsible defense. He is effective in transition, capable of controlling play along the boards, and has shown a willingness to play through traffic in the offensive zone. His composure with the puck, combined with strong skating and a reliable shot, allows him to contribute in every situation. As an alternate captain, he has taken on a leadership role that complements his production.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Beniers’ defining moments are his Calder Memorial Trophy victory in 2023, his first NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils in 2022, and his selection as the first-ever draft pick of the Seattle Kraken. He also represented the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, recording one goal and one assist in four games, and helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, ending a long international drought for the program.
Matty Beniers Career Wins
Matthew Beniers has built a decorated resume at every level of competition, including individual NHL awards, collegiate honors, and international medals. His combination of team success and individual recognition has established him as one of the most accomplished young American hockey players of his generation.
NHL Highlights
Beniers captured the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2023 after leading all NHL rookies with 57 points in 80 games. He recorded his first NHL goal in April 2022 and quickly developed into a top-six contributor for the Kraken. His seven-year contract extension in 2024 underscored his long-term value to the Seattle franchise.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Beniers earned unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award following his sophomore season at Michigan. Internationally, he won a gold medal with the United States at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, a bronze medal at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, and a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. He also helped the United States claim a bronze medal at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Matty Beniers Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Matthew Beniers was raised in Hingham, Massachusetts, by his father, Bob Beniers, and his mother, Christine Maglione. His father played collegiate football at Cornell University, while his mother pursued a career in performing arts as an understudy for A Chorus Line on Broadway before transitioning to law. The family’s diverse athletic and creative background helped shape Beniers’ competitive drive and disciplined approach to the game.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Beniers maintains a relatively private personal life and remains focused on his development with the Seattle Kraken. His commitment to the organization was reinforced by his long-term contract extension in 2024, signaling his intent to remain a central figure in Seattle’s plans for the foreseeable future.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Matthew Beniers’ fourth NHL campaign and his second as a key alternate captain for the Seattle Kraken. Coming off a long-term contract extension signed in August 2024, he continues to anchor Seattle’s top-six forward group and contribute in all situations. His two-way play and offensive creativity remain central to the Kraken’s structure under head coach Dave Hakstol.
Following his gold medal performance at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded three goals and three assists in ten games, Beniers returned to Seattle with additional international confidence. The summer success reinforced his reputation as a big-game performer and gave the Kraken an early-season spark. His combination of speed, vision, and defensive responsibility has translated into a steady start to the campaign.
Looking ahead, Beniers is positioned as a central figure in Seattle’s long-term outlook. With his contract running through 2031, the Kraken are counting on him to elevate his offensive totals while continuing to provide leadership in the room. The 2025 season is expected to be a defining year in establishing Beniers as a true NHL star.