Selected in the fourth round (95th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers, Canadian-born defenseman Mike Benning enjoyed a moderately successful freshman turn before turning it on in his second season with the NCAA’s Denver Pioneers.
A player with strong NHL connections and a tie to Florida, Benning is the son of former original Panther blueliner Brian Benning, younger brother of San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Benning and nephew of former Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning, who also played 610 games in the NHL.
Mike decided to remain with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Junior A-level Alberta Junior Hockey League during his draft season and racked up 12 goals and 75 points in 54 games to catch the eye of Panthers general manager Bill Zito and his scouting staff.