Flames sign Mike Benning to one-year contract
The Calgary Flames continue to add depth on defense.
As reported by Darren Dreger, the Flames signed defenseman Mike Benning on Wednesday to a one-year, two-way contract.
Mike Benning signs in Calgary. 1 year, two way contract.
The financial details of the deal have yet to be disclosed.
Benning, 24, made his NHL debut last season, putting up two goals and four assists for six points in 18 games for the Florida Panthers. He also played 57 games for the Panthers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Charlotte Checkers, where he has eight goals and 23 assists for 31 points. He then had two assists in three playoff games for Charlotte.
The St. Albert, Alberta native was selected by Florida in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft after two seasons with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). He then went on to a three-year collegiate career with the University of Denver, where he had strong offensive numbers. Over his last two seasons with Denver, he had 28 goals and 44 assists for 72 points in 80 combined games.
Benning became a full-time professional in the 2023-24 season, when he registered nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 72 games for Charlotte. In the 2024-25 season, he improved his production by notching nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points in just 54 games.
At 5’9″ and 177 pounds, Benning is an undersized and offensively inclined defenseman who can quarterback a power play and create space for himself and others in the offensive zone.
Of course, Calgary made a much splashier addition to their blueline earlier this offseason, when they acquired Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils. Nemec, along with Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz, gives the Flames some exciting young talent on defense.
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