Matt Benning

Matt Benning
Born (1994-05-25) May 25, 1994 (age 32)
St. Albert, Alberta
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Free agent
Edmonton Oilers
Nashville Predators
San Jose Sharks
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL draft 175th overall, 2012
Boston Bruins
Playing career 2016–present

Matthew Benning (born May 25, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently is an unrestricted free agent. He has played for the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, and Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Career

Before playing in the NHL, Benning played two seasons with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), one season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL), and three years with the Northeastern Huskies of Hockey East.

He was drafted 175th overall by the Boston Bruins of the 2012 NHL entry draft. He never played a game for the Bruins. On August 27, 2016, Benning signed a three-year, $2.15 million entry-level contract to join the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Bakersfield Condors.

On November 1, 2016, the Oilers called him up and Benning made his NHL debut in a 3–2 overtime loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs. On November 5, he recorded his first two NHL points after assisting on a goals by Patrick Maroon and Leon Draisaitl in a 3–2 shootout win against the New York Islanders. On January 7, 2017, Benning scored his first NHL goal against Cory Schneider in a 2–1 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils.

On October 9, 2020, Benning signed a two-year, $2 million contract to join the Nashville Predators. He played two season with the Predators.

On July 13, 2022, Benning signed a four-year, $5 million contract to join the San Jose Sharks. He was forced to end his season after he suffered a hip injury and needed surgery. He played three seasons with the Sharks.

On October 30, 2024, the Sharks traded Benning along with a 2025 conditional third-round draft pick and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to he Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Timothy Liljegren. He played one regular season game with the Leafs.

Personal life

Benning comes from a hockey family. His father Brian, uncle Jim, and younger brother Michael are all involved in professional hockey.

References

  1. ↑ "Oilers sign Benning". Edmonton Oilers. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ↑ "Hockey Digest". St. Albert Gazette. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Letestu scores in SO as Oilers beat Islanders 4-3". ESPN. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Oilers survive major scare from the Devils". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Predators Sign Matt Benning to Two-Year, $2 Million Contract". Nashville Predators. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Sharks Sign Defenseman Matt Benning". San Jose Sharks. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  7. ↑ "San Jose Sharks Statement on Matt Benning". San Jose Sharks. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Liljegren traded to Sharks by Maple Leafs for Benning, picks". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Family matters for Matt Benning". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 30, 2026.

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