MATTHEW BENIERS // 2021 Scouting Report #3
Position: C
Stats: 9 goals, 10 assists, 19 points, 20 games played
Team: University Of Michigan
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 174
DOB: 11/05/2002
Letter=how consistent the player is (A is best)
Number=gage of talent (1 is most talented)
RANKED:
Ranked #1 by DR. TEE SCOUTING
Ranked #10 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #3 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #16 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #18 by NEUTRAL ZONE
Ranked #1 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #7 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #16 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #9 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #10 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Ranked #8 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY
Ranked #4 by TSN/McKenzie
SCOUTING REPORT:
What’s up my friends? And today Matthew Beniers will be in the spotlight, and so far this year he has definitely been up there with my favorite players along with Sasha Pastujov, and Oskar Olausson. Last year actually I had him above Aatu Räty, and I think my prediction is already right, not to say that Räty is a bad player, he’s a very good one, but I think the nod has definitely gone to Beniers this far into the season. He also played on the USNTDP U18 team that was pretty good as well, featuring players like Brett Berard, Thomas Bordeleau, and Jake Sanderson, as well as many other good players, and tallied a total of 18 goals, 23 assists, 41 points, in 44 games, and that’s what I imagine his point total to be around this year if he gets to play that many games. Anyway, let’s get back on track, and do a little scouting report! So let’s goooooooo!
SKATING - 2A
Matthew Beniers is an unbelievably smooth skater, and can maneuver around the ice at such a high pace while still maintaining control of the puck that he really makes it look easy. He has a ton of explosiveness, and is in my opinion one of the most explosive players in the draft, and I don’t think that it’s debatable at all. He can make quick turns, and absolutely explode out of them. This really benefits his stick handling as well, as he’s able to combine his hands, with his feet to make a deadly duo. He’s side to side agility is very high end, and he’s able to evade defenders, and forecheck coming out of his own end very well. One thing that I find him very talented at is his play in transition. Despite not being the fastest player, and being clocked at 1.72 second blue line to blue which I would say would be just above average, he still uses his body every effectively, getting close to the ice, and creating a low center of gravity so that he’s not easily pushed off the puck. He can improve overall speed, but I would say that he has some of the most purest skating ability that I’ve ever seen, and possesses a great, long stride that helps him beat defenders wide to the net where he can unleash his deadly stick handling and deadly dual threat ability where he can either shoot, or pass the puck to a teammate. All in all, I see him as one of the best skaters in the draft, and if he can continue to improve he can go a long way with his fantastic skating ability.
PASSING + PUCK SKILLS - 1B
I feel that Matthew Beniers is one of the few players that can challenge for the best passer, with combined puck skills next to Sasha Pastujov. Beniers can stickhandle in a phone booth, and make quick decisions with the puck under a lot of pressure. He has a lot of poise, is extremely patient, and will allow the play to develop unlike a bunch of other players at his age. I found to be one of the most conservative players in the draft in terms of passing the puck, while completing 89% of his passes, (33/37), and completing 72% of his high or ,ediuk danger pass attempts, (8/11), and his high or medium danger passes making up nearly 30% of his passes, which I would say is pretty average, or just above, but for a player that is his age in a league as high of a quality league as the NCAA, I would say that is very good especially playing on a team with players like Cam York, Kent Johnson, and Brendan Brisson in one of the hardest conferences in college hockey to play in in the Big Ten. Beniers is able to max out his agility, playmaking, and stick handling abilities so that it’s almost impossible for defenses to stop him, especially in the transition game which is another reason why Beniers is so effective. He continuously creates scoring chances, and will bug defenses for games on end. Even though he may not wow you with the stats he puts on the scoresheet, he’s a player that you’ll need to watch to see how effective he can really be. It’ll take him a little bit to adjust to the NHL, but he’s a player that is great at adjusting to new environments, and different styles of play so I believe he’ll turn out to be a great NHL player in that regard.
SHOT - 2A
Beiners has an above average shot, and is always very consistent with it. What really stands out to me is his ability to take it to high and medium danger areas, having 75% of his shots taken from there on the ice, (9/12). Beniers is able to do this very effectively as well, and it’s not like they were shots that he was just taking. No. He always shoots the puck for a reason even if some people have issues with it, there’s no real reason too, in my opinion. It certainly could improve, but for someone known for his hockey sense, two way game, and playmaking, it really ain’t bad. It’s accurate, and he’s able to get it off from almost anywhere on the ice. It depends on the situation but for the most part he has a pretty quick release, but at the same time it isn’t the heaviest one, and for someone that still needs to physically mature a bit before stepping into the NHL that’s common. I think he can score a good amount of goals at the NHL level but will never score upwards of 30. I think that he will definitely eclipse 25 in his prime though, as he does go to the dirty areas, and work to create offense. Overall, just adding more skill to Beniers’ game would do him a big favor. But with the tools he already has at the level he can use them, it’s already pretty darn impressive.
DEFENSIVE PLAY - 1A
Like an Emil Heineman, or an Anton Lundell, Beniers’ overall two way game, and puck pressure that he applies to the puck carry at any given moment is by far the greatest aspect of his game. He’s 110% all the time in the defensive zone, and just the fact that he still has room to produce offense is pretty astonishing. He’s the most consistent player on his own end in the draft, and it’s not even close forwards, or defensemen. I see him winning multiple Selkes in his prime, with Anton Lundell being his main challenger most years. He’s so effective on board battles, and always seems to be in the right place at the right time to get the puck out of his own zone with control. He always has his head up coming out of his own end, rarely ever makes a mistake, and is always looking to make a play with the puck. He’s a player you want on your team, and you want on the ice all the time, because he’s simply a coach's dream. He does it all, and does it all at a high level which is why I think he’s both the no. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, and why he turns out maybe not as the most talented, or the highest scorer, but definitely best all around, and most praised player out of this draft.
OVERALL - 2A
I love Matthew Beniers. He’s such a good player without the puck, and that’s what makes him so special. You rarely ever see a player like him have the ability, and skill to produce like he does, and that’s something about him that I think people often tend to forget. He still has great scoring upside, and even though it isn’t 80 points, it’s still a good 60-65 points with Selke votes pouring over his shoulders. He’s an overall great player in all situations, and possesses “best 2nd line center in the NHL one day” potential which is very valuable in any player, and I don’t care who you are.
Two way
Smart\high hockey IQ
shifty
PLAYER COMPARISON: ANTHONY CIRELLI
Both Anthony Cirelli, and Matthew Beniers are often overlooked when it comes to the offensive side of the game, and when they have the puck on their stick. Two elusive, and creative players when in the right situations, they utilize their unique skill sets to the max, and that’s what makes them so special. Both have the potential to be Selke contenders, and two players that you look at and say, “HOW!?” They both have great skating as well, and catch you off guard with the many things they can pull out of their toolboxes.
All writing by Noah, DR. TEE SCOUTING