Mike Benning Records Assist in NHL Debut, Helps Panthers Top Blue Jackets

Thirty years after Brian Benning finished his 568-game NHL career with the Florida Panthers, his son stood in the same organization's locker room and made his own debut count. Mike Benning, a 24-year-old defenseman from St. Albert, Alberta, recorded the secondary assist on Sam Reinhart's overtime game-winning goal as the Panthers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 at Amerant Bank Arena.

Benning was recalled from the Charlotte Checkers to fill the second defensive pair spot vacated by Uvis Balinskis, who is dealing with a lower-body injury. Paired with Niko Mikkola, Benning logged 16:49 of ice time, added a block and a hit, and contributed directly to the goal that ended the game.

Head coach Paul Maurice was specific in his praise. "That's what he does for a living," Maurice said. "It was evident early. He moved the puck really quickly, on the tape, first-option plays. He wasn't trying to oversell what he does. I thought his decision making with the puck was really good. I think we probably thought that it could be, but his defensive play was good, too." Before the recall, Maurice had described Benning as "a really strong skating, puck-moving defenseman" with "very good agility going left to right and closing gaps."

Teammate Sam Bennett offered a blunter verdict: "He looked great all night. He looked like he belonged."

The debut capped a stretch of consistent AHL production. Benning had skated in all 56 Charlotte games this season, leading the Checkers in assists with 23 and ranking fifth on the team in points with 31, including eight goals. Across three professional seasons, all spent in Charlotte, he has appeared in 182 AHL games and accumulated 89 points on 26 goals and 63 assists.

The path to Thursday night was longer than his draft position suggested it might be. Florida selected Benning 95th overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, but he did not formally sign with the organization until April 13, 2023, after spending three years at the University of Denver, where he won a national championship with the Pioneers in 2021-22. He spent the following three seasons developing with Charlotte before the Panthers called.

Before the game, at morning skate, Benning kept his expectations grounded. "I'm excited," he said. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't nervous, but yeah, it's what you dream for as a kid growing up. Just soak it in and be the best player I can be."

He did more than soak it in. When Reinhart converted in overtime, Benning's name was on the scoresheet.