Benning was one of the top defensemen in NCAA while playing for Pioneers
One of the Florida Panthers top prospects is joining the team following a stellar collegiate career.
University of Denver defenseman Michael Benning has signed his entry-level contract with the Panthers, a source confirmed to The Hockey News.
The three-year contract was formally announced Tuesday afternoon.
“Mike is a gifted two-way defenseman who has had an outstanding collegiate career,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said in a statement. “We are thrilled for him to take the next step in his career with the Panthers and look forward to his continued development within our organization.”
Benning was in the Panthers locker room following the team’s practice on Tuesday, putting on his gear and getting to know some of his new teammates.
He had his own stall, right between Eetu Luostarinen and Sergei Bobrovsky, with his name on a placard above it.
At one point, he shyly asked Bobrovsky if he could borrow some clear tape for his socks.
Not to worry Michael, there is plenty of tape to go around in the NHL.
The 21-year-old was selected by Florida in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
He’s spent the past three seasons with the University of Denver, where his game grew by leaps and bounds under the tutelage of Pioneers Head Coach David Carle.
Over the past two years during his sophomore and junior seasons, Benning was one of the top defensemen in NCAA.
During 101 games with the Pioneers, Benning racked up 31 goals and 83 points while holding an on-ice rating of plus-55.
He joins a Panthers squad that clinched their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday as one of the two Wild Card teams.
Florida will host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday to close out their respective regular season schedules.
It is not yet known when Benning will make his NHL debut.