Matthew Beniers Bio
Matthew Beniers is an American professional ice hockey player who serves as a center and alternate captain for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Kraken selected Beniers with the second overall pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft, making him the expansion franchise’s first-ever draft selection. Beniers transitioned from college hockey at the University of Michigan directly to professional play, demonstrating immediate impact in the NHL. He was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2023, recognizing his outstanding debut season. Beniers continues to represent Seattle as a foundational player for the organization, having signed a long-term contract extension through 2031.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Beniers was born on November 5, 2002, in Hingham, Massachusetts. His father, Bob Beniers, played collegiate football at Cornell University, while his mother, Christine Maglione, pursued a career in performing arts before eventually enrolling in law school. This diverse family background provided Beniers with multiple pathways to explore during his youth. Growing up in Massachusetts, Beniers developed an early passion for ice hockey that would shape his future career trajectory.
Beniers demonstrated exceptional talent from a young age, eventually earning a spot with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. His athletic lineage through his father’s collegiate football experience suggested promising genetic attributes for competitive sports, while his upbringing in the Boston area provided access to rich hockey culture and development opportunities throughout his formative years.
Path to Professional Hockey
Beniers joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2018-19 season, competing in the United States Hockey League (USHL). In his first season with the program, he recorded 10 goals and 13 assists in 42 games, showing flashes of the scoring ability that would define his career. The following season, Beniers served as the team’s alternate captain during the 2019-20 campaign. He elevated his performance significantly, ranking second on the team in scoring with 18 goals and 23 assists in 44 games, demonstrating leadership qualities alongside his offensive production.
Prior to his collegiate commitment, Beniers had planned to play at Harvard University, with the Ivy League institution being his original destination. However, when the Ivy League cancelled its hockey season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Beniers adjusted his plans and enrolled at the University of Michigan in August 2020. This decision proved pivotal, as it placed him in an environment that would accelerate his development into a top NHL prospect.
Matthew Beniers Career
College Career at Michigan (2020-2022)
Beniers began his collegiate career with the Michigan Wolverines during the 2020-21 season. He made an immediate impact, recording 10 goals and 14 assists in 24 games as a freshman. His performance ranked him among the elite first-year players in college hockey, leading the conference in on-ice rating with a plus-21 rating, which ranked eighth nationally. Beniers led all first-time NHL Draft-eligible NCAA players in goals, goals per game, and shots on goal per game during his freshman campaign.
On February 26, 2021, Beniers recorded his first collegiate hat-trick in a game against Arizona State, showcasing his scoring prowess on a national stage. He followed this performance with consistent excellence throughout the season, including a four-point game against Minnesota on March 5. Following his standout freshman season, Beniers earned recognition on the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and the College Hockey News All-Rookie Team, establishing himself as one of college hockey’s brightest prospects.
Beniers returned to Michigan for the 2021-22 season and elevated his game to another level. He dominated the Big Ten conference, winning the scoring championship with 27 points in 20 conference games. He recorded 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 total points in 37 games, leading the Wolverines in scoring. His outstanding performance earned him a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten First Team and made him a finalist for Big Ten Player of the Year. Additionally, he was a finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, given to the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player, and earned AHCA West First Team All-American honors.
Seattle Kraken Breakthrough (2022-2023)
The Seattle Kraken selected Beniers with the second overall pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft, choosing him as their inaugural draft selection as an expansion franchise. Beniers entered the draft as one of the consensus top prospects, and his selection validated years of development through the USHL and NCAA. After his exceptional sophomore season at Michigan, he faced a decision about whether to return for another year or turn professional.
On April 10, 2022, Beniers signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Seattle Kraken. The decision came after discussions with his family, general manager Ron Francis, and new teammate Ryan Donato. Just two days later, on April 12, Beniers made his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames, recording his first professional assist in a 5-3 loss. He scored his first NHL goal on April 16 in a home victory against the New Jersey Devils, ending his abbreviated rookie season with three goals and nine points across 10 games.
Beniers began his first full NHL season in 2022-23, establishing himself as a core piece of the Kraken’s young roster. He was named Seattle’s representative at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game, recognizing his impact through the first half of the season. Unfortunately, a hit from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers caused an injury that prevented him from participating in the All-Star festivities. Despite the setback, Beniers appeared in 80 regular season games, leading all NHL rookies in points with 57 while tying for the rookie goal-scoring lead with 24 goals. On June 26, 2023, he was announced as the winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy, the NHL’s Rookie of the Year award, cementing his status as one of the league’s emerging stars.
Seattle Kraken Era (2024-Present)
Building on his Calder Trophy success, Beniers continued developing into a franchise cornerstone for Seattle. The Kraken organization demonstrated their commitment to him as a foundational player by signing him to a long-term extension. On August 20, 2024, Beniers and the Kraken agreed to a seven-year, $50 million contract extension running through the 2030-31 season. The organization publicly identified Beniers as a cornerstone of the franchise, reflecting their belief in his long-term potential and importance to the team’s future.
Beniers assumed additional leadership responsibilities, earning the alternate captain designation for the Kraken. His progression from rookie sensation to established team leader represented his maturation both on and off the ice. The contract extension provided salary stability and signaled the organization’s long-term vision with Beniers at the center of their plans.
Playing Style and Strengths
Beniers plays the center position and shoots left-handed. His game is characterized by a combination of scoring ability and playmaking vision that allows him to contribute offensively in various situations. His collegiate career demonstrated his two-way play, with his plus-21 rating highlighting his defensive responsibility alongside his offensive production. His success at the World Junior level and Olympics showed his ability to perform in high-pressure international competition, suggesting his skill set translates effectively to different competitive environments.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, Beniers has accumulated significant achievements at both the collegiate and international levels. His Hobey Baker Award finalist selection and All-American honors at Michigan validated his status as a top college player. The Calder Memorial Trophy marked his successful transition to professional hockey. His international career includes multiple medals across various age-group competitions, demonstrating consistent excellence when representing the United States.
Matthew Beniers Career Statistics
Beniers has built an impressive statistical record across his brief professional career. His NHL totals include 57 points as a rookie, followed by continued production in subsequent seasons. His college career saw him accumulate 67 points across two seasons, while his international appearances have added further accomplishments to his resume.
NHL Highlights
Through his NHL career with the Seattle Kraken, Beniers has established himself among the league’s promising young centers. His rookie season total of 57 points represented exceptional production for a first-year player. His 24 goals tied for the rookie goal-scoring lead, demonstrating his finishing ability at the professional level. His Calder Trophy win validated his immediate impact following his collegiate career.
International Achievements
Beniers has represented the United States at multiple international tournaments across various age groups. He won a bronze medal at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships with two goals in seven games. At the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, he was the youngest player on the roster and helped Team USA capture the gold medal, contributing one goal and two assists while averaging significant ice time as a second-line center.
Also in 2021, Beniers participated in the IIHF World Championship as the only draft-eligible player on Team USA, winning another bronze medal. He became the fifth University of Michigan player to represent their country at both the World Junior and World Championship in the same season. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Beniers played four games with one goal and one assist as Team USA finished in fifth place. His most recent international appearance came at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded three goals and three assists in 10 games and helped Team USA win their first gold medal since 1933.
Matthew Beniers Family
Family Background
Matthew Beniers comes from a family with diverse athletic and professional backgrounds. His father, Bob Beniers, competed in collegiate football at Cornell University, where he played at the highest level of college football in the Ivy League. This athletic background provided Matthew with inherited traits conducive to professional sports. His mother, Christine Maglione, pursued a different path, beginning as an understudy for the Broadway production of A Chorus Line before transitioning to legal studies by enrolling in law school. This artistic and academic family environment offered Beniers varied perspectives on career development.
Personal Life
Beniers grew up in Hingham, Massachusetts, where he developed his passion for hockey in a region known for producing numerous NHL players. His professional career has taken him across the country to Seattle, Washington, where he continues his hockey career with the Kraken. As a young professional athlete, Beniers maintains a presence on social media platforms including Instagram, where he shares updates about his career and personal life with his following.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season marked another step in Beniers’ development as he entered his third full professional season with the Seattle Kraken. As a cornerstone player under his long-term contract, expectations remained high for continued production and leadership from the young center. His international success at the 2025 World Championship, where he contributed to Team USA’s historic gold medal, provided momentum heading into the NHL campaign.
Beniers’ progression from Calder Trophy winner to established alternate captain represented his maturation within the Kraken organization. The team’s development around their young core, combined with Beniers’ continued growth, shaped their competitive outlook for the season. His two-way play and offensive contributions remained central to Seattle’s plans as they built toward sustained competitiveness in the Western Conference.
The combination of his long-term contract extension and leadership role within the franchise established Beniers as a foundational piece for Seattle’s future. His performance in 2025 reinforced his value to the organization while continuing to build on the promising start to his professional career established during his rookie campaign and Calder Trophy season.