Michael Benning Bio
Michael Benning (born January 5, 2002) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 182 pounds, Benning has built a reputation as an offensive defenceman with strong playmaking skills and a competitive edge. He gained national attention while representing the University of Denver, where he was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player of the 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament after helping the Pioneers capture the national championship.
Early Life and Background
Michael Benning was born on January 5, 2002, in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. He grew up in a deep-rooted hockey family, with several relatives who played or worked in professional hockey at high levels. His father, Brian Benning, was a former Florida Panthers defenceman, which gave Michael an early and lasting connection to the game.
From a young age, Benning was immersed in hockey culture in Alberta, a province known for producing elite talent. He played in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL) and averaged more than a point per game during his freshman year of high school. That production led him into the Northern Alberta Elite program, where he continued to develop his offensive instincts and earned a reputation as a smooth-skating, skilled defenceman.
Path to Hockey
After another strong offensive season in the Northern Alberta Elite program, Benning graduated to Junior A hockey with the Sherwood Park Crusaders in 2018. In his first season, he quickly became one of the team’s top scorers and helped the Crusaders finish second in the league standings. His strong two-way play and poise with the puck made him a trusted contributor in all situations.
The following year, he was named an alternate captain and continued to put up impressive offensive numbers. Under his leadership, the Crusaders captured the regular-season title before the campaign was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. By that point, his trajectory had caught the attention of NHL scouts, and the Florida Panthers selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Michael Benning Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Benning’s early career was spent with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Joining the team at just 16 years old, he adapted quickly to the pace and physicality of Junior A hockey. In his rookie season, he was among the club’s leading scorers and helped the team post one of the best regular-season records in the league.
The following year, he was named an alternate captain and continued his strong offensive production. The Crusaders finished first in the regular season, though the season was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the abrupt ending, his play had already established him as a top NHL prospect, and he was drafted in the fourth round by the Florida Panthers in 2020.
University of Denver Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Following the draft, Benning joined the University of Denver alongside Sherwood Park teammates Reid Irwin and Carter Savoie. His first college season was shortened and Denver struggled, finishing with a losing record for the first time in more than two decades. Benning, however, continued to develop and emerged as one of the team’s most reliable defencemen.
In the 2021–22 season, Denver rebounded strongly. Benning spearheaded the attack from the blue line and helped the Pioneers climb the national rankings. By the end of the regular season, Denver finished in a tie for the conference title and earned an NCAA tournament bid. During the postseason, Benning was pivotal in three consecutive one-goal victories that carried the team to the national championship game.
In the final, with Denver trailing in the third period, Benning assisted on the game-tying goal and then scored what proved to be the deciding marker less than three minutes later. After also assisting on the overtime goal in the national semifinal, he was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player. The performance cemented his status as one of the top collegiate defencemen in the country.
Charlotte Checkers Era (2023–Present)
Following the conclusion of his junior season with Denver in 2022–23, Benning signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers on April 13, 2023. He was assigned to the Charlotte Checkers, the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, to begin his professional career. Playing regularly as a young defenceman, he adjusted to the professional game’s pace and physical demands.
As a prospect developing within the Panthers organization, Benning has continued to log minutes in all situations for the Checkers. His offensive instincts and puck-moving ability have translated well to the AHL level, and he remains a closely watched prospect within the Florida system. His contract runs through the 2025–26 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Benning is widely recognized for his offensive skill set from the blue line. He is an excellent skater with strong puck-handling ability and a heavy, accurate shot. His hockey sense and poise under pressure allow him to quarterback the power play effectively, while his competitive nature and willingness to compete in defensive-zone battles round out his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Benning’s career so far came during the 2022 NCAA championship game, where his clutch third-period assist and go-ahead goal led Denver to a national title. He was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player for his performance, becoming one of the most decorated Canadian defencemen in recent college hockey history. Being drafted by the Panthers in 2020 also marked a major milestone, continuing the family’s long connection to the organization through his father.
Michael Benning Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Benning comes from one of hockey’s well-known families. His father, Brian Benning, is a former Florida Panthers defenceman. His uncle, Jim Benning, was a first-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs and later played for and served as general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. His older brother, Matthew Benning, is a defenceman for the San Jose Sharks. His late uncle Mark Benning played in the NCAA and professionally in Germany’s Eishockey-Bundesliga, while his grandfather Elmer Benning (1941–2018) was a scout for the Montreal Canadiens.
Personal Life
Michael Benning continues to focus on his development as a professional hockey player. As a young athlete early in his NHL career, he has kept his personal life largely private while pursuing his goal of reaching the National Hockey League on a full-time basis.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Michael Benning remains a developing prospect within the Florida Panthers organization and continues his tenure with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Under his entry-level contract, he is focused on refining his defensive game while continuing to contribute offensively from the blue line. His progress remains a key storyline for the Panthers’ prospect pool.
Throughout the 2024–25 season, Benning has been relied upon in key situations for the Checkers, logging significant minutes and contributing on the power play. His poise and skating ability have allowed him to handle the pace of professional hockey, and he has shown growth in his decision-making and defensive-zone play. The Panthers’ depth on the blue line makes his pathway to the NHL competitive, but his trajectory remains positive.
Looking ahead, Benning’s goal is to position himself for an NHL opportunity with the Florida Panthers in the near future. With his contract running through 2026 and his continued development in Charlotte, he represents one of the more intriguing young defencemen in the Panthers’ system heading into the remainder of the year.