Beniers of Kraken wins Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year

NASHVILLE -- Matty Beniers won the Calder Trophy voted as NHL rookie of the year at the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Monday, and said the season the Seattle Kraken had was no fluke.

The No. 2 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft from the University of Michigan, Beniers helped the Kraken (46-28-8, 100 points) clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in their second NHL season as the first wild card from the Western Conference. Seattle improved by 19 wins and 40 points from last season, when it was 27-49-6 with 60 points and finished 30th in the League standings.

"Just keep doing what we're doing," Beniers said of his team, which eliminated the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference First Round in seven games before losing to the Dallas Stars in Game 7 of the second round. "You know, we've started to really identify a culture in our locker room and our team and you know, we're just a hard-nosed team and we're going to try and outwork anyone we play. That's kind of what we've established and what we've had success with, and I think that's just going to continue."

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The 20-year-old forward led NHL rookies in goals (24), points (57) and plus/minus (plus-14) in 80 games, and was second in assists (33; Matias Maccelli, 38). He had 10 power-play points, 148 shots on goal and four-game winning goals. He received 160 of the possible 196 first-place votes for 1,836 voting points.

Beniers also led rookies in multipoint games (18) and shooting percentage (16.2 percent, minimum 80 shots), and was fourth among rookie forwards in average ice time per game (17:06). He was assessed one minor penalty to become the fourth player in NHL history to play at least 80 games in a season and receive two or fewer penalty minutes (Butch Goring, 1977-78; Ben Smith, 2014-15; Ryan O'Reilly, 2013-14, 2017-18).

He played in 10 games last season after signing agreeing to a three-year, entry-level contract April 10, 2022, and had nine points (three goals, six assists).

"It definitely prepared me," Beniers said of last season. "It kind of gives you a feel of what it is like getting games playing against these obviously great players. The intensity of the games, how many games you're playing in a week, which was obviously a lot different than Michigan and is probably a big jump for guys that come to college. You know how many games you're playing. So you just get a little bit of taste of everything, which is a huge help, especially going into that summer before you play."

Kraken coach Dave Hakstol, a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year, praised Beniers at the NHL Awards media day Sunday.

"You know, stats I guess tell us a little bit of the story, but in Matty's case, just a real small piece of the story," Hakstol said. "You can't make up, you can't create presence. And Matty's got presence. He's got a ton of it. When he walks into a room, it's not his physical stature. It's the way he carries himself, it's his demeanor. It's his confidence, it's his work ethic. It's that little package. So, you know, it was a year and a couple of months ago when he came in and played the 10 games. It was pretty eye opening for everybody that he came in, and just seamlessly made the transition to the NHL.

"Now, to a man, we all said, 'Well, now you got to come back and do it when it matters.' And Matty was able to do that. I mean, what a season he had. He's an impressive young man, just works and improves and picks the areas. He picks the areas of his game that maybe aren't his strengths and he wants to attack, and he doesn't run from it. And so that's a real important thing. That's why I think he's going to be a great player for a long time."

Beniers became the first player from an expansion team to win the Calder Trophy within its first two seasons since Peter Stastny with the Quebec Nordiques in their second season in 1980-81.

"I want to start off by thanking the people that have gotten me to this point," Beniers said. "Obviously my awesome family that has been here every step of the way, since I was a little kid and until this year, obviously the Seattle Kraken organization support staff, coaches. You guys gave me that opportunity. And you guys supported me all throughout this year. So, thank you for that.

"You know, the boys, my teammates, I love you guys. You taught me so much this year. And you're a big part and you know, huge reason to why I'm up here today. So, thank you to them. And then finally, Seattle (fans), you guys were great all year and you guys made playing at Climate Pledge Arena so fun. So, thank you to them and you know, I love you. I love all your fans. Thank you."

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner was runner-up with 1,074 points, followed by Owen Power of the Buffalo Sabres, who ranked third in voting with 929 points (nine first-place selections) as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association prior to the start of the playoffs.

"Stuart, Owen, you guys had awesome years," Beniers said. "It was so fun playing against you, and playing with Owen (at Michigan)."

Video: Beniers on his Calder Trophy win, playing in Seattle