Beniers Headed to Olympics

As an elite hockey talent, Matty Beniers is accustomed to playing above his age group. In fact, whether it's making all-star teams as a University of Michigan freshman and placing top-eight among all NCAA players in plus/minus ratings or flourishing on the USA squad at last spring's men's hockey World Championship, Beniers keeps up and then some.
"It's fun playing at a higher pace with older guys," said Beniers Wednesday night by phone. "It will be a really good test. I've been playing with older guys my whole life."

The honor of playing for your country at the Olympics as a 19-year-old is not lost on the Kraken's top prospect.
"I didn't expect it," said Beniers. "I was excited to see NHL players back at the Olympics since ruled not feasible due to material effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the league's schedule

"Like we are here with the Kraken," said Botterill, "[Team USA] is impressed with how versatile Matty is as a player who can line up at center or wing, plus be part of both the power play and penalty-kill unit. Just watch how he plays, his pace, how he gets on the forecheck [to disrupt opponent's efforts to clear the defensive zone], drives to net, plays hard in all zones. He has so many attributes."
Kraken GM Ron Francis knows all about playing against men in his late teens. As an NHL first-round draft choice (4th overall) selected by the Hartford Whalers (now Carolina) in 1981, Francis was sent back to his juniors team to start the 1981-82 season.
By mid-November, the 18-year Francis was called up to the NHL for good--and 23 seasons worth. He finished his rookie season with 68 points (25 goals, 43 assists) in 59 games. The next season, as a 19-year-old, the Kraken GM notched 90 points (31 G, 59 A).
It's difficult not to liken Beniers to Francis, from the dark-haired, handsome looks to playing a 200-foot game to both wearing the No. 10. But to be fair to both, every hockey player's story is his or her own. For Beniers, he has another upcoming page in his American Dream story.
"This is a great opportunity for Matty and it is well deserved," said Francis Thursday "He's had a tremendous season at Michigan and we're looking forward to seeing him on the game's biggest international stage. We hope Kraken fans enjoy watching him compete in the Olympics and we wish him well."
Always the admired teammate-Beniers is the only member of the Michigan captaincy group who is not a senior-the Kraken center of the future was relieved to check his Wolverines schedule and realize a bye week means he only misses four games for the No. 3 Michigan squad that features seven first-round NHL draft choices and 13 drafted prospects overall.
After all, Beniers, along with 2021 No. 1 overall pick Owen Power and No. 5 pick and Beniers' UM linemate Kent Johnson-both are on Team Canada's Olympic roster-have unfinished NCAA business with hopes to qualify for this spring's Frozen Four and win a national championship.
Beniers said he intends to be back in Michigan maize-and-blue (Botterill was a star there too) for key conference games against Notre Dame (and 2021 seventh-round Kraken draft choice Justin Janicke) during the last weekend in February.
"It stinks to miss those four games when in Beijing," said Beniers. "But I'm glad I'm not missing more."
Whoa, wait a minute, full stop. Beniers is reminded about what he just said, that is talking about actually traveling to Beijing and playing in the Olympics representing the USA.
"I know," said Beniers, smiling and gently laughing and sighing all at the same time. "It's crazy."