Beniers Captures Calder Memorial Trophy
6/26/2023 8:40:00 PM | Ice Hockey
NASHVILLE, Tenn -- Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers won the 2023 Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL rookie of the year, at the 2023 NHL Awards on Monday (June 26). The former University of Michigan centerman is the first Wolverine to ever win the honor.
Beniers bested former Michigan teammate Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres) and Stuart Skinner (Edmonton Oilers) in the voting.
Following Michigan's elimination in the 2022 NCAA national semifinal, Beniers signed with Seattle. He had an assist in his first game and scored his first goal in his first home game at Climate Pledge Arena. Beniers went on to score nine points in his first 10 games. In his first full-fledged season, Beniers scored 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 points in 80 regular-season games. He led all NHL rookies in goals and points and was second in assists. Elected to the NHL All-Star Game, Beniers had to miss the opportunity because of an injury.
A first-team All-American, Beniers was a finalist for both the Hobey Baker Award and the Big Ten Player of the Year award. He was the Big Ten Conference scoring champion with 26 points in 18 games and was a unanimous first-team selection, while also earning Big Ten All-Tournament team honors. The alternate captain led Michigan in scoring during his sophomore season with 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points in 37 games, averaging 1.16 points per game. Beniers completed his Michigan career with 30 goals and 37 assists in 61 games played and was a +50.
Michigan Calder Trophy Finalists
2017 – Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)
2020 – Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks)
2023 – Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken), Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres)
