Nov 8, 2026 7:07 PM
Minnesota Wild prospect Adam Benak opened his NCAA career with a bang, earning NCHC Rookie of the Month honors in October.
Adam Benak continues to produce.
The Minnesota Wild prospect, no matter the league, tournament, or team he plays for, knows how to rack up points.
Beginning his freshman season with Western Michigan, Benak posted three goals and 13 points (1.86 points per game) in October to earn Rookie of the Month honors in the NCHC.
Benak has recently added two goals, bringing his tally to five goals and 15 points in nine games. The 19-year-old currently leads the team in points. In addition to Benak's strong start, Western Michigan ranks fifth in the nation and has started the season strongly.
Related stories
Benak's high production shouldn't surprise anyone. In Czechia’s youth rankings, Benak tallied points easily. He then moved to the USHL, where he continued to dominate, posting 59 points in 56 games.
Last season, the Wild's 2025 fourth-round pick posted 77 points in 44 OHL games. His numbers at several IIHF events with Czechia have also been very good.
Despite being drafted in the fourth round, Benak is quickly becoming one of the Wild's best prospects. When he starts his professional career is still in question, but if he continues to excel in the NCAA, it could be very soon.
The one factor that has held Benak from being considered a high-end prospect is his size. Benak stands just 5-foot-7 and weighs 164 pounds. He would be a very undersized NHL player, as there are no players 5-foot-7 or shorter currently playing in the NHL. Eight players are 5-foot-8.
With his skill, the Wild clearly believe Benak can overcome his size deficiencies.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Comments
Powered by RoundtableAn AI/DeFi-powered Enterprise Media Operating System. Learn more at Roundtable.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy



