Zach Benson Bio
Zachary Ruben Benson is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a winger for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 12, 2005, in Chilliwack, British Columbia, he was drafted 13th overall by the Sabres in the 2023 NHL entry draft. Benson grew up assisting his family in their traveling carnival and developed his hockey skills playing minor hockey in Chilliwack before moving to Yale Hockey Academy. He has since made a significant impact at the junior level and began his professional career with the Sabres.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Ruben Benson was born on May 12, 2005, in Chilliwack, British Columbia, to Darcy and Jaclyn Benson. He grew up in a close family that owns a traveling carnival, and as a child he spent long stretches helping his parents run carnival operations across western Canada. That traveling life kept him on the move, yet hockey remained a steady presence during his early years.
Benson played minor ice hockey in Chilliwack before transferring to Yale Hockey Academy in 2018, a move that gave him access to higher-level coaching and competition. In his first season with the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), he recorded six goals and 19 points in 28 regular season games, then added four more points across five postseason contests. The following year, during the 2019–20 season, Benson scored 30 goals and 86 points in just 30 games for Yale, a scoring pace that made him one of the most talked-about young players in western Canada.
Path to Professional Hockey
Benson’s breakout at Yale earned him the CSSHL Most Valuable Player award in 2020, the same year the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League (WHL) selected him 14th overall in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. He signed with the Ice on April 29, and because of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to youth ice hockey, he was allowed to play in the 2020–21 WHL season as a 15-year-old. He made an immediate impact at that level, posting three goals and seven points in his first nine junior games.
After gaining experience in the WHL, Benson continued to climb, and his offensive numbers surged in his draft year. Internationally, he represented Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording two goals and five assists in five games to help his country win gold. That tournament performance, combined with his dominant WHL season, established him as one of the top prospects eligible for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Zach Benson Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
Benson’s early career centered on his development with the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League. Selected 14th overall in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, he signed with the club and joined the roster as a 15-year-old, an unusual step made possible by pandemic-related changes to junior hockey eligibility. He wasted little time adjusting to the WHL, finishing his draft season with three goals and seven points in his first nine games.
Over the following two seasons, Benson developed into one of the WHL’s most consistent offensive players. In 2022–23, he finished third in WHL scoring with 36 goals and 98 points in 60 games, trailing only fellow British Columbia-born prospect Connor Bedard. His blend of vision, speed, and playmaking at such a young age made him one of the most highly regarded forwards heading into the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
WHL Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Benson’s WHL career began in unusual circumstances, as the pandemic allowed him to enter the league a year earlier than normal. His first nine games produced three goals and seven points, an encouraging start that signaled his readiness for the pace and physicality of major junior hockey. Coaches at Winnipeg Ice quickly gave him significant responsibilities, including power-play minutes, and he responded with mature two-way play.
His true breakthrough came during the 2022–23 season, when he became one of the league’s most productive forwards. Posting 36 goals and 98 points in 60 games, Benson finished third in WHL scoring and earned praise for his ability to create offense in tight spaces. That season cemented his reputation as a top NHL prospect and set the stage for his draft-year selection.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2023–Present)
The Buffalo Sabres selected Benson 13th overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, making him one of the cornerstones of the team’s rebuilding effort. He signed a three-year entry-level contract on July 28, 2023, and quickly earned a place on the Sabres’ opening-night roster. On October 12, 2023, Benson made his NHL debut against the New York Rangers, logging a minor penalty in a 5–1 loss.
Just over a month later, on November 22, 2023, Benson scored his first NHL goal in a 3–4 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals. The marker marked a meaningful early milestone for the young winger and confirmed the offensive instincts that had defined his junior career. Since then, he has continued to develop within the Sabres’ system, working to translate his WHL production to the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Benson’s career has been defined by a series of early milestones, from his selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft to his top-three finish in WHL scoring in 2022–23. His gold medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Canada stands as one of his most significant achievements on the international stage. Reaching the NHL in his draft year and scoring his first NHL goal just weeks into his rookie season further underscored his rapid rise through the sport.
Zach Benson Career Wins
Benson’s career wins to this point have come primarily at the junior and international levels, where he has accumulated individual awards and team championships. His WHL career with the Winnipeg Ice produced strong offensive totals, while his international play delivered a gold medal with Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
WHL Highlights
During his time with the Winnipeg Ice, Benson developed into one of the WHL’s most productive forwards, highlighted by his 2022–23 campaign in which he scored 36 goals and added 98 points in 60 games. That season placed him third in league scoring, behind only Connor Bedard. His progression from a 15-year-old WHL Bantam Draft pick to a top-three scorer in three seasons illustrated his steady climb through the junior ranks.
Other Wins & Performances
Benson captured the CSSHL Most Valuable Player award in 2020 after scoring 30 goals and 86 points in 30 games for Yale Hockey Academy. He later added a gold medal with Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, contributing two goals and five assists across five games to help his country win the tournament.
Zach Benson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Benson was raised by his parents, Darcy and Jaclyn Benson, who operate a traveling carnival across western Canada. Growing up, he spent considerable time helping his family at carnival events, an upbringing that demanded adaptability and a strong work ethic. Those values carried into his hockey development and helped shape his disciplined approach to the sport.
Personal Life
Benson comes from a close-knit family and has often spoken about the influence of his parents on his career. He continues to maintain ties to his hometown of Chilliwack, British Columbia, even as he pursues his professional hockey career in the NHL.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 season, Benson remains a member of the Buffalo Sabres, working to build on the foundation he established during his rookie year. The Sabres have continued to lean on his offensive skill set and two-way play, deploying him in situations that highlight his creativity with the puck. His development within the team’s system remains a key storyline as Buffalo pushes to return to playoff contention.
Benson’s ongoing role with the Sabres reflects the organization’s commitment to developing its young core, with him playing alongside other recent draft picks. His ability to handle top-six responsibilities while continuing to refine his game has positioned him as a long-term building block for the franchise. The 2025 campaign represents another important step in his transition from promising prospect to established NHL contributor.