Go Blue, Go Fast in First Round

When Seattle general manager Ron Francis called Matty Beniers' name during Friday's first round of the NHL Draft, the Michigan center not only made Kraken history, but he was part of NHL history.
Beniers was one of three Michigan players who were drafted in the first round, the first time in NHL draft history three teammates were first-round picks in the same draft. He joined Owen Power, who was selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the first pick overall, and Kent Johnson, drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the fifth overall selection.

"I think the happiest guy in the room might have been [Kraken assistant GM] Jason Botterill," said Francis, smiling at a post-draft media scrum. Botterill played for Michigan and won a national championship with the Wolverines in 1996.
The three draft choices all played for the Big 10 school last year, but Michigan had an even bigger night. Defenseman Luke Hughes was picked by the New Jersey Devils with the No. 4 pick.
Hughes is committed to attend, and, you guessed it, play hockey for Michigan this coming season. With Hughes, the Wolverines had four players connected to the program selected over the first five picks. Go Blue with the four-man rush.
The three guys who played for Michigan last year are not only teammates but friends. All three get to live out their NHL dreams on the same day.
With the Draft happening virtually, the three missed out on a chance to celebrate together so they will have to settle for text messages and FaceTime phone calls.
"Not many (phone calls) since we've gotten drafted," Beniers said about his Michigan mates. "I don't know if they're on their phones. I sent them texts, they'll probably see it with other hundreds and hundreds of texts that are coming in right now. I'm sure we'll talk."
Michigan has been playing hockey since 1922 to a great deal of success. The program has won a record nine NCAA Championships and appeared in 25 Frozen Fours.
The team had never had a player drafted first overall -- a milestone reached Friday when Power went off the board. But Michigan did previously have a pair of teammates drafted in the first round. Friday night was a high-water mark for the program.
Power was the expected top pick and Buffalo didn't mess around with their choice. Beniers was ecstatic about his teammate being drafted.
"I'm so excited for Owen," he said Friday. "I was so happy for him when he got drafted, just hearing his name called and hearing the University of Michigan. It's a sense of pride to hear your teammate's name called. Especially a guy you're currently playing with.
"This year was great, and he was awesome, and couldn't have been a better guy. He's so humble, he's such a great person, he worked so hard. That's where he's deserves to be."
That excitement was felt in Columbus as well, where Johnson was addressing the media.
"I'm just super excited and, obviously, they're [Michigan teammates] some of my favorite people right now," he said.
Beniers' journey over the past season was a long one. He was not supposed to be at Michigan and was committed and prepared to play at Harvard last season. But the Ivy League canceled its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Beniers without a place to play.
Having played for the United States Team Development Program in nearby Plymouth, MI, Beniers was familiar with the program and able to transfer to Michigan. Beniers referred to the choice to attend Michigan a "hockey decision." The switch turned out to be one that launched him to the second pick of the draft.
"I didn't really know how great it would be until I got here," he said during Michigan's media day last fall. "Every day we're pushing each other. And those two (Johnson and Power), they obviously also love hockey, and it's what they want to do with the rest of their life.
"It's kind of cool being around guys that just love the game and want to get better every day. It pushes me, I push them."
With the Michigan trio officially NHL Draft picks, the question becomes how fast they can get to the NHL. All three have hinted they would like to play one more year in college, seeking a national championship.
Due to the pandemic, they missed out on the true college experience. They played in front of an empty Yost Arena -- known as one of the loudest arenas in college hockey. Their run for a Frozen Four was cut short after a COVID outbreak led to them being disqualified prior to the opening round.
That, plus an additional year of development, are attractive reasons for one more go at Michigan.
"Honestly, I really don't know what exactly the best thing is for me next year," Beniers said Friday in the Zoom call with media. "Whether it's going back or going to play for the Kraken.
"Obviously, I think that'd be really exciting to get to play with the Kraken. I think going back another year to keep building confidence [would be important] … But I think at the end of the day it's what is the right thing for me to do as a hockey player and as a person?"
Ultimately, it will be a decision the players come to with the help of each of their teams' coaching and scouting staff, including the Kraken and Beniers.
"Every kid's different and I think the key is when you go and see him play, you want to do what's right for the kid and make sure that you're not rushing," said Francis. "Because it's the NHL and it's a heck of a league.
"There are big guys, strong guys and fast guys. You want to make sure when you bring them in, you're giving them the opportunity to be successful, so we try and analyze that."
Beniers and company didn't have to wait long to hear their names called on Friday.
They missed out on the nerves and pacing, waiting all night as some prospects do. They had been in contact over the days leading up to the Draft. Perhaps commiserating, perhaps looking to share a once-in-a-lifetime experience, even if not together in person.
"We were FaceTiming throughout the day," Beniers said. "I think for all of us it was a pretty normal day. Got to work out and skate and kind of do your thing … I think they handled it well and weren't too nervous. Not too many nerves and just enjoying the moment. I'm so happy for them."