The Hockey Resource™ presents: NHL Draft Career Files™
Matty Beniers became the first draft pick in Seattle Kraken history when the expansion franchise selected him second overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Owen Power had gone first to the Buffalo Sabres. Seattle then used the most important amateur selection in its young history on an intelligent, competitive, two-way centre from the University of Michigan.
The decision immediately established the type of player the Kraken wanted at the centre of their organization. Beniers brought speed, responsibility, character, defensive awareness and enough offensive ability to contribute throughout the lineup.
More than five years later, he has become a Calder Trophy winner, an alternate captain and one of the most recognizable players in Kraken history.
Who Is Matty Beniers?
Matty Beniers was born on November 5, 2002, and grew up in Hingham, Massachusetts.
The left-shooting centre developed through the United States National Team Development Program before joining the University of Michigan. His combination of skating, defensive awareness and competitiveness made him one of the leading prospects available in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Seattle’s current roster lists Beniers at 6-foot-2 and 181 pounds. However, his value has never depended primarily on size.
His game is built around anticipation, positioning, puck pursuit and an ability to affect play at both ends of the ice.
How Did Matty Beniers Develop Into an Elite Prospect?
Before arriving at Michigan, Beniers served as an assistant captain with the U.S. National Team Development Program.
He produced 41 points in 44 games during his final season with the program while developing against many of the strongest players in his age group.
Michigan gave Beniers another significant challenge. He entered college hockey as a freshman and immediately faced older, stronger and more experienced competition.
Instead of requiring a long adjustment period, Beniers quickly became one of the Wolverines’ most dependable forwards.
During his freshman season, he recorded 24 points in 24 games, including 10 goals and 14 assists. He also led the Big Ten with a plus-21 on-ice rating and earned recognition on the conference’s All-Freshman Team.
Why Did Seattle Draft Matty Beniers Second Overall?
Seattle was not searching only for the most naturally gifted offensive player available.
The Kraken needed a foundational centre who could help establish the organization’s identity.
Beniers played hard without the puck, supported his defence, handled difficult assignments and competed in every zone. He also demonstrated the intelligence and character expected from a player who could eventually become part of the team’s leadership group.
In the Kraken’s official 2021 draft announcement, then-general manager Ron Francis emphasized Beniers’ character, work ethic and ability to contribute offensively and defensively.
Seattle believed those qualities would translate into long-term NHL value.
The selection was also historically significant for Michigan. Power and Beniers became the first college teammates chosen with the first two selections in the same NHL Draft.
Why Did Beniers Return to Michigan After the Draft?
Being selected second overall did not force Beniers to rush into professional hockey.
Instead, he returned to Michigan for his sophomore season and continued developing his offensive game, leadership and physical strength.
Beniers served as an alternate captain, earned First-Team All-America honours and led the Big Ten in scoring with 26 conference points. His second college season gave him another year to mature before beginning his NHL career.
That decision demonstrated an important development principle.
The highest possible level is not always the best immediate level. A player benefits most from an environment that provides meaningful minutes, responsibility, coaching and opportunities to improve.
For Beniers, another season at Michigan prepared him to enter the NHL with a more complete game.
Matty Beniers Makes His NHL Debut
Beniers signed with Seattle on April 10, 2022, and made his NHL debut two days later against the Calgary Flames.
He recorded his first NHL point in that game. Then, during his first home appearance, he scored his first goal against the New Jersey Devils.
Beniers opened his career with points in five consecutive games. That early success offered Seattle fans their first real look at the player expected to become the face of the franchise’s emerging young core.
How Matty Beniers Won the Calder Trophy
Beniers established himself as one of the NHL’s best young players during the 2022-23 season.
He scored 24 goals and added 33 assists for 57 points. In addition to leading NHL rookies in several offensive categories, he handled significant defensive responsibilities and helped Seattle qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
His performance earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. He was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
The production was impressive, but his complete game made the season especially significant.
Beniers was not protected as a one-dimensional scorer. He took faceoffs, defended against quality opponents, supported the puck low in the defensive zone and contributed in important situations.
Seattle had not simply found an offensive prospect. The Kraken had found a legitimate two-way NHL centre.
How Did Beniers Respond to a Difficult Second Season?
Player development is rarely a straight line.
After winning the Calder Trophy, Beniers experienced a more difficult 2023-24 season. His production fell to 15 goals and 37 points in 77 games.
That decline created questions about his offensive ceiling. However, Seattle continued to value the complete impact he provided.
Beniers responded by changing his offseason preparation and taking greater ownership of his physical and mental development. Before the 2024-25 season, the Kraken named him an alternate captain.
By the end of the 2025-26 campaign, he had completed consecutive 20-goal seasons while assuming greater leadership responsibility within the organization.
That recovery may be one of the most important parts of his career story.
A top prospect’s long-term value is not determined by whether adversity arrives. It is determined by how the player responds when progress becomes more difficult.
Why Did Seattle Give Beniers a Long-Term Contract?
In August 2024, the Kraken signed Beniers to a seven-year contract worth just under $50 million.
The agreement carried an average annual value of approximately $7.14 million and confirmed that Seattle continued to view him as a central part of its future.
Long-term contracts create expectations. In this case, the Kraken were not paying only for goals and assists.
They were investing in a centre capable of playing throughout the lineup, helping establish team culture and accepting difficult defensive assignments.
The contract also gave Beniers time to continue expanding his offensive game without changing the responsible foundation that made him successful. Readers can review Seattle’s official Beniers contract announcement for the complete details.
Matty Beniers’ International Hockey Career
Beniers has represented the United States at several major international tournaments.
His achievements include:
- Gold at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship
- Bronze at the 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championship
- Participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics
- Gold at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship
Beniers recorded three goals and three assists in 10 games during the United States’ 2025 championship run. The victory gave the American men their first World Championship gold medal in 92 years.
His complete international record is available through his official USA Hockey profile.
What Makes Matty Beniers Valuable?
Beniers does not need to dominate the puck on every shift to influence a game.
His value comes from combining several reliable NHL attributes.
Two-Way Hockey Intelligence
Beniers consistently reads developing plays and supports teammates in all three zones.
He understands when to pressure the puck, when to protect the middle of the ice and when to remain above the play. Those details allow coaches to trust him in situations that extend beyond offensive production.
Competitive Skating
His speed helps him close space defensively and create pressure on the forecheck.
More importantly, Beniers continues moving his feet when he does not have the puck. That habit allows him to recover defensively and remain involved after the initial play changes direction.
Defensive Responsibility
Many young offensive players need several seasons before coaches trust them in difficult defensive situations.
Beniers arrived with those habits already established.
He supports his defence, tracks opponents through the neutral zone and can be used against strong opposing players.
Puck Pursuit
Beniers competes for possession rather than waiting for the play to reach him.
That willingness to pressure opponents creates turnovers, extends offensive-zone time and makes his linemates more effective.
Leadership Potential
Seattle’s decision to name him an alternate captain confirmed that the organization values his influence beyond statistics.
Leadership does not begin with a letter on a jersey. It begins with preparation, consistency, responsibility and an ability to respond constructively when performance falls below expectations.
Has Matty Beniers Lived Up to the Second Overall Pick?
Yes, although his value is more nuanced than that of a pure offensive superstar.
Beniers became the first draft pick in Kraken history, won the Calder Trophy, helped the team reach the playoffs, earned a long-term contract and developed into an alternate captain.
Those achievements represent a successful start for any second overall selection.
However, the final evaluation remains open.
To become one of the NHL’s elite first-line centres, Beniers must continue increasing his offensive production while preserving the defensive habits that already distinguish him.
His career should not be judged only by whether he becomes a 90-point scorer. The correct question is whether he can consistently drive winning hockey against strong competition.
So far, the evidence is encouraging.
As explained in The Hockey Resource’s examination of 10 Years of Draft Picks, draft value should be measured over several seasons rather than through one early peak or temporary decline.
Career BRAIN™ Evaluation
Skating: 4.5 out of 5
Beniers has the speed, balance and mobility required to influence play throughout the ice.
Hockey Intelligence: 5 out of 5
His understanding of positioning, defensive support and situational responsibility remains one of his greatest strengths.
Two-Way Game: 5 out of 5
He can contribute offensively without abandoning the defensive structure expected from an NHL centre.
Offensive Ability: 4 out of 5
Beniers has demonstrated 20-goal ability and produced 57 points as a rookie. Greater consistency will determine whether he becomes a high-end offensive centre.
Competitiveness: 4.5 out of 5
His puck pursuit, defensive engagement and willingness to handle difficult assignments provide value even when he is not scoring.
Leadership: 4.5 out of 5
Becoming an alternate captain at a young age reflects Seattle’s confidence in his preparation, character and influence.
Draft Value: 4.5 out of 5
The second overall selection has already produced a Calder winner, playoff contributor and long-term organizational cornerstone.
What Can Young Players Learn From Matty Beniers?
Beniers’ career demonstrates that coaches value much more than points.
Young players can increase their value by learning to:
- Compete when they do not have the puck
- Support teammates defensively
- Continue skating after the initial play
- Accept difficult assignments
- Improve faceoff and positional habits
- Respond professionally to disappointing seasons
- Develop offensive skill without neglecting defensive responsibility
Scoring attracts attention.
Trust creates opportunity.
Beniers became the second overall pick because scouts saw a player who could be trusted in every part of the game.
Career BRAIN™ Final Verdict
Draft Status: Second overall in 2021
Current Status: Established two-way NHL centre
Leadership Status: Seattle Kraken alternate captain
Best Achievement: 2022-23 Calder Trophy
Future Projection: Long-term top-six centre with first-line potential
Career BRAIN™ Verdict: Successful selection with another offensive level still available
Matty Beniers will always hold a unique place in Seattle Kraken history.
He was the franchise’s first draft pick, first drafted prospect to sign an NHL contract and first drafted player to appear for the team.
More importantly, he helped define what the Kraken wanted their future to represent.
Seattle did not select Beniers second overall because of one spectacular skill. The Kraken selected him because his intelligence, competitiveness, skating and responsibility created a complete foundation.
His career is still developing.
However, the first player ever chosen by the Seattle Kraken has already become far more than a historical footnote.
Matty Beniers has become one of the leaders responsible for determining what comes next.
Matty Beniers Quick Facts
Full Name: Matthew Beniers
Born: November 5, 2002
Birthplace: Hingham, Massachusetts, United States
Position: Centre
Shoots: Left
Height: 6 feet 2 inches
Weight: 181 pounds
NHL Team: Seattle Kraken
NHL Draft: Second overall in 2021
College: University of Michigan
Major NHL Award: Calder Memorial Trophy
International Highlight: 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship gold medal
Frequently Asked Questions About Matty Beniers
What year was Matty Beniers drafted?
The Seattle Kraken selected Matty Beniers second overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Was Matty Beniers the first draft pick in Kraken history?
Yes. Beniers was the first amateur player ever drafted by the Seattle Kraken.
What position does Matty Beniers play?
Beniers is a left-shooting centre known for his two-way play, defensive responsibility and skating.
Did Matty Beniers win the Calder Trophy?
Yes. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie following the 2022-23 season.
Where did Matty Beniers play college hockey?
Beniers played two seasons at the University of Michigan.
Is Matty Beniers a Seattle Kraken captain?
Beniers is an alternate captain. Seattle gave him that leadership role before the 2024-25 season.
Has Matty Beniers won an international gold medal?
Yes. He won gold with the United States at the 2021 World Junior Championship and the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
Continue Exploring NHL Draft Career Files™
- NHL Draft Career Files™
- 10 Years of NHL Draft Picks
- Alexis Lafrenière: 2020 First Overall Pick
- Tim Stützle: Ottawa’s 2020 Third Overall Pick
- Jack Hughes: 2019 NHL Draft Career BRAIN™
- Kaapo Kakko: 2019 Second Overall Pick
