Team USA’s defense of the 2021 World Junior Championship begins the day after Christmas in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, and returning center Matty Beniers (Hingham, Mass.) is going to be a critical factor in his team’s hopes to bring home another gold medal.
The second overall selection by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft didn’t have to go far for WJC camp, held at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, just 18.4 miles from Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. The team has come together for practices and the building of chemistry between players, with final roster still to be finalized.
“I think it helps that a lot of people are comfortable with each other already,” Beniers told media via Zoom call on Monday. “It’s a pretty short turnaround from here on into the tournament. We’re going to have to just jump right in and make connections with everyone and start being a team. I think we did something very special last year, and it was really great…awesome. But, the next thing’s here and I’ve started to turn the page- not forget about it- but remember what worked, what didn’t work and try to implement that into this year. Try to do the same thing, try to do it better.”
With Wolverines teammate Thomas Bordeleau removed from the roster due to a diagnosis of COVID-19, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Beniers will be even more important to USA’s championship aspirations.
“He was going to be a really huge part of this team,” he said. “That’s why it’s such a tough a hit. I’m not really sure if there is anyone who can fill his boots. He’s a great player, a great person. I love being around him. Obviously, some guys are going to have to step up and that’s going to be an important part of this tournament.”
For his part, Beniers enters his second U20 tournament appearance with a lot of confidence. He’s already eclipsed his freshman year goal total by one with 11 markers and 22 points in 20 games. He is looking forward to facing off against a couple of college teammates in Kent Johnson and Owen Power, both of whom were named to Team Canada’s roster. Canada is looking to rebound on home soil after coming up short a year ago in the championship game, falling to USA by a 2-0 score.
One intriguing youngster who will likely see his window of opportunity increase with Bordeleau no longer participating is 2004-born center Logan Cooley. The Pittsburgh-area product is one of the top draft-eligible candidates for 2022 and has starred at the U.S. National Team Development Program, centering the Under-18 team’s top line. He had an outstanding showing at the USHL’s Fall Classic in September and has 14 goals and 30 points in 20 games this season. He did not participate in the NTDP’s Boston-area swing over the weekend against Boston University and Merrimack College because he stayed behind in Plymouth.
Like Beniers a year ago, Cooley is looking to make an older, more veteran roster during his crucial draft season. The WJC hopeful made it clear that he looks up to his fellow NTDP alumnus, not only as a top collegiate player and high NHL pick but for the kind of player he is.
"It's just the way he thinks the game and the way he plays," Cooley said of Beniers. "His 200-foot game is so good. That's something I want to put into my game. It's really important to have that as you keep moving up, so that's definitely the most important thing I'd take from him."
With Bordeleau out, there’s a good chance Cooley will get a chance to make his mark in junior hockey’s most recognized event, but the Kraken prospect is the one who is going to be USA’s most important piece up front.
Strengths
With his tall lanky frame, Beniers brings high-end hockey sense/vision, skating and three-zone acumen to every game. He’s adept at setting the table or finishing plays off with a quick release and the natural feel/instincts to recognize shooting lanes and get pucks to the net before goaltenders can get set. In short, he’s a play driver offensively, but also brings the intelligence and work ethic to pick up his defensive responsibilities.
His mature, refined game belies his youth. He just turned 19 on Nov. 5, and it is a near certainty that Beniers will be calling Seattle home a year from now.
After the WJC, he will continue to produce at Michigan while also being a reliable all-situations player that Mel Pearson and his staff will keep rolling out to go up against the top NCAA competition. The WJC will prove an excellent proving ground for him, as he’ll face the best of his peer group from around the globe, many of whom he’ll one day compete against in NHL cities.
Areas of improvement
At the 2021 WJC, he had a 45.71 percent win rate in seven games, ranked 30th among those in the IIHF. The left-shot center will get even better at faceoffs as he adds strength and gains experience. He’s smart and is using his instincts and quick stick to win more draws this year. Team USA will need him to step it up. John Farinacci led Team USA with 51 wins against 38 losses, good for a 57.30 percentage, 14th overall. By comparison, Finland’s Anton Lundell won 91 faceoffs for a winning percentage of 70.
Beniers has to get stronger and knows it. He mentioned it during the media availability and he’ll get there eventually. While not an overly physical presence, Beniers understands how to use his reach and leverage to shield pucks and force turnovers.
Outlook
As USA’s No. 1 center, Beniers will be asked to shoulder a heavy load. He’s in the kind of situation that every player worth his salt desires.
While not a dynamic offensive scorer, expect him to bring more of a Patrice Bergeron style of play to the mix. He’s got the size, talent and smarts to do a bit of everything, and while he doesn’t come in a flashy package, Nate Leaman and his staff will scheme to get the most out of Beniers, and he’ll instill the level of trust required for him to get the opportunities that should show the hockey world why Seattle made him such a high pick in July.
New England hockey fans have known what the former Milton Academy product is capable of for some time, now it’s time for a global audience to see him take his game to the next level after being more of a secondary piece of the puzzle last year.
