The Buffalo Sabres announced on Friday that they've signed 2023 first-round pick Zach Benson to a three-year, entry-level contract worth $950,000 AAV.
Benson, a native of Chilliwack, British Columbia, was one name that Canucks fans heard a lot about leading up to the NHL Entry Draft, with several reporters stating that the team had interest in using the 11th overall pick to select him. Ultimately, he went two picks after the Canucks took the podium, as Buffalo took him 13th overall.
The 18-year-old spent the 2022-23 season in the Western Hockey League with the Winnipeg Ice. In 60 games for the Ice, Benson had 98 points (36 goals, 62 assists), 49 penalty minutes and was a plus-68. He followed that up by recording 17 points in 15 playoff games.
Benson is expected to return to the Western Hockey League next season, where he'll suit up for the league's newest team, the Wenatchee Wild, who relocated from Winnipeg earlier this summer.
