Buffalo Sabres sign Wild forward Zach Benson to entry-level contract
The Buffalo Sabres have signed Wenatchee Wild forward Zach Benson to a three-year, entry-level contract, the NHL Club announced Friday.
Benson, who led the Winnipeg ICE with 98 points (36G-62A) and a +68 rating during the 2022-23 WHL season, was selected 13th-overall by Buffalo in the 2023 NHL Draft.
His 98 points were third-most among WHL skaters during the 2022-23 regular season, while his plus-minus rating was second overall, and the highest among WHL forwards.
“We felt that this player has the upside that often you don’t get at that spot in the draft,” Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams told sabres.com. “The way the list was falling, we were starting to get pretty excited this player might be there for us. So, we’re excited to welcome Zach, and I guess we like Winnipeg kids.”
Benson, who hails from Chilliwack, B.C., joins current Wild teammate Matthew Savoie, and former Winnipeg ICE teammate Peyton Krebs in the Sabres organization. In 2022-23, Benson and Savoie combined for 74 goals, 119 assists and 193 points with the ICE, helping Winnipeg reach the 2023 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
Originally selected by the ICE with the 14th-overall pick in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Benson has accrued 181 points (71G-110A) from 142 WHL regular season contests.
IT’S OFFICIAL 😤
We have signed forward Zach Benson to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Details: https://t.co/EFLrxda9yn pic.twitter.com/k1ikHu4t5M
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 28, 2023
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