Collegiate standout Mike Benning ready to take next step, start pro career with Panthers

Benning is an undersized defenseman with high-end offensive skills that is looking to build on a strong college career with the University of Denver

The top prospects in the Florida Panthers system are in the spotlight this weekend as they take part in the 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase.

Among them is a young defenseman who just completed a standout career with the University of Denver.

Mike Benning was selected by the Panthers in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft.

He spent three seasons with the Pioneers after being drafted, but it was his final two that really turned some heads.

During the 2021-22 season Benning racked up 15 goals and 38 points while earning a plus-14 on-ice rating in 41 NCAA games, and he followed that up with 13 goals and 34 points, along with an eye-popping plus-38 rating, in 39 games last season.

When Denver was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in the opening round by Cornell, Benning decided the time was right to go pro.

He signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Panthers back in April and joined the team for their run to the Stanley Cup Final as a Black Ace.

Speaking ahead of Florida’s rookie showcase appearance, Benning explained that he tried to get the most out of the unique and special situation.

“It was a good experience for me,” Benning said. “It's a lot of different sides of things…I got to see the guys go on a big run there, which is really nice. And, you know, it's me kind of getting that experience and putting it into my game and see where things go.

“For me it was just all ears, see how the guys take care of their bodies and their mentality going in and game out, especially when they're that quick. It was a good learning experience for me.”

Heading into this weekend’s rookie showcase, Benning knew he’d be facing a different level of hockey player than what he excelled against in college.

It may be a challenge for the undersized Benning, who is listed at just 5-foot-9 and 177 lbs., but one he’s looking forward to meeting.

“I think it's been probably at every level he's probably heard about the challenge,” said Florida’s AHL head coach Geordie Kinnear, who has been working closely with the prospects since July’s development camp. “But challenges are good for people, and I think he's up to that challenge for sure.”

There is clearly confidence from those in the organization who have seen him play that Benning will be able to take that next step as he turns pro.

It may not be an overnight process, but the Panthers seem willing to be patient with Benning if that’s what it takes.

“He's only going to grow into it,” said Kinnear. “There's a lot to like.”

While being a smaller defenseman was clearly not a hindrance for Benning during his collegiate days, playing professional hockey against grown men could be another animal entirely.

Benning, for his part, is entering his pro career with his eyes wide open.

“I think I'm just going to showcase myself and what I do best and see where things go,” he said. “I'm not overthinking it too much and keeping things simple, but at the end of the day, I just got to play my game and showcase what I got.”

Benning, who hadn’t played a real hockey game since his season with the Pioneers ended back in March, said he was happy to be getting back into the swing of actual hockey games.

“That's why we play this game,” he said. “it's fun. We like the competitive side of things. We like playing games, that's why it's where we're hockey players.”