After missing lengthy periods with injury, it’s difficult to say whether or not Tyler Benson’s development has been stunted in any real way. Though he had missed significant time with injury in both his draft year and draft+1 seasons, Benson seemed to get himself back on track with the Vancouver Giants in 2017-18, playing in 58 of the team’s 72 games. Despite missing 14 games (12 to start the year), Benson finished second in team scoring for the Giants, registering 27 goals and 42 assists for 69 points. From there, Benson finished his year by making his professional debut with the Bakersfield Condors and playing in five games where he tallied three assists. It will certainly be interesting to follow Benson as he entires his first full professional season.
BIO:
Born: March 15th, 1998 — City: Edmonton, Alberta
Height: 6 feet 0 inches — Weight: 190 lbs [183 cm/86 kg]
NEWS AND SCOUTING REPORTS
Jason Gregor recently looked at Tyler Benson in his Top 10 Oilers Prospect countdown:
He needs to stay healthy. In four WHL seasons, he only played 183 games. Last season, he sat out the first 12 games recovering from two hernia surgeries in April and July. Once he returned, he was finally able to stay healthy and hopefully the injuries are in the past. When healthy, he has an excellent all-around game. Of all the young players I’d argue he is the most consistent. He isn’t flashy, but he does everything well. He needs to get a bit quicker, and if his hip issues are behind him he will gain a half step. He’s very strong, highly competitive and is reliable in both ends.
In January of this year, Tyler Yaremchuk had the chance to chat with Benson about being drafted by his hometown team, his injury issues, and playing in the AHL:
“I grew up an Oilers fan, wearing their jersey and cheering them on, and so did my family, so being able to put it on for the first time like that was a special moment.”
On his future…
“From what I’ve heard the AHL is a very tough league. Obviously, I want to play in the NHL, but if they (the Oilers) think the right path for me is to start in the AHL, I’ll gladly do it”.
From Jameson Ewasiuk at Dobber Prospects:
A once highly sought after prospect, Benson has struggled to stay healthy throughout his WHL career. He was expected to be first round pick in 2016 but fell to the second round after playing just 30 games for the Giants that year. When in the lineup, Benson’s offensive ability, leadership and complete game made him a real threat for the Giants. In 58 games last season, the most games that he has played since the 2014-2015 campaign; Benson recorded a respectable 27 goals and 69 points. Due to his slowed down development from injuries and his lack of a dynamic facet that defines his game, it’s hard to predict how well the young winger will do in his first pro campaign. The potential is still there but expectations must be kept in check at this point.
From Andrew Levangie at McKeen’s Hockey:
Although not a game-breaker when it comes to speed, he has above-average acceleration and ability to create separation .. This comes from a powerful lower body that produces a strong and stable stride. His power aids in fending off checkers .. Continues to push the pace especially when carrying the puck; often has good solo efforts in transition .. Uses his body well to guard and hold off defenders and keep them on his back and away from the puck .. This flows from strong, precise edge work where more lower body strength is obvious .. Stops and starts make him slippery and tough to defend, especially off the wall, powers through his edges to drive his way to the net and create scoring chances.
A nifty player to watch handling the puck, however won’t wow you with spectacular 1-on-1 dangles .. Uses small areas effectively to develop space in order to make individual plays .. Lines up regularly as a left winger, and works better as a distributor of the puck, utilizing high-end accuracy on both his forehand and backhand passes .. Exhibits soft hands and heads-up play while adopting a quick-strike mentality .. Often uses a high stick grip, which creates a whipping wrist shot that comes off quick and appears hard to read.
PRE-DRAFT RANKINGS
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Future Considerations: 29th
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ISS Hockey: 55th
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Central Scouting service: 24th (North American skaters)
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Hockey Prospect: 30th
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The Draft Analyst: 29th
VIDEO AND HIGHLIGHTS
Edmonton Future Watch put together another wonderful video with highlights from Benson’s 2017-18 season:
The WHL also put together a highlight pack for Benson following the season.
TSN’s pre-draft profile on Benson leading into the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Tyler Benson vs Lane Zablocki from back in January:
SEASON STATS
| SEASON | TEAM | LEAGUE | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- | PGP | G | A | TP | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | SSAC Bantam AA 2 (APEX Geosci.) | ERBHL | 12 | 13 | 8 | 21 | 0 | ||||||
| 2011-12 | SSAC Lions Bantam AAA | AMBHL | 33 | 34 | 50 | 84 | 44 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 31 | 4 | |
| 2012-13 | SSAC Lions Bantam AAA “C” | AMBHL | 33 | 57 | 89 | 146 | 52 | 11 | 15 | 22 | 37 | 16 | |
| SSAC Bulldogs Minor Midget AAA | AMMHL | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| 2013-14 | Pursuit of Excellence Prep | CSSHL | 15 | 15 | 20 | 35 | 40 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | |
| Pursuit of Excellence 18U | NAPHL 18U | 21 | 14 | 26 | 40 | 48 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 28 | ||
| Vancouver Giants | WHL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | ||||||
| Canada Pacific U17 | WHC-17 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |||||||
| 2014-15 | Vancouver Giants | WHL | 62 | 14 | 31 | 45 | 55 | -1 | |||||
| Canada Black U17 “A” | WHC-17 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |||||||
| Canada U18 | WJC-18 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 4 | ||||||
| 2015-16 | Vancouver Giants “C” | WHL | 30 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 46 | 0 | |||||
| 2016-17 | Vancouver Giants “C” | WHL | 33 | 11 | 31 | 42 | 31 | -3 | |||||
| 2017-18 | Vancouver Giants “C” | WHL | 58 | 27 | 42 | 69 | 39 | -1 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 10 |
| Bakersfield Condors | AHL | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | -1 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
| SEASON | TEAM | LEAGUE | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | SSAC Lions Bantam AAA | John Reid Bantam | 5 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 4 | |
| 2012-13 | SSAC Lions Bantam AAA “C” | John Reid Bantam | 6 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 4 | |
| Team Edmonton South | Alberta Cup | 5 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 4 | ||
| 2013-14 | Team Alberta “A” | WCCC-16 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2014-15 | Team Green | U17-Dev | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2015-16 | Team White | U18-Dev | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Canada U18 “A” | Hlinka Gretzky Cup | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2016-17 | WHL All-Stars | Jr Super Series | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
Stats provided by Elite Prospects
Previously:
- All About Stuart Skinner
- All About Caleb Jones
- All About Kirill Maksimov
- All About Olivier Rodrigue
- All About Evan Bouchard
I hope he stays healthy,develops properly in the AHL and comes up in a couple years to help the Oilers.
Agreed. A younger version of Kyle Brodziak in two years would be fine.
He may just have enough bite in his game to go with the skill to make it in a year or two.
Development??!!! This is just crazy talk!!
The press needs to stop harping on about this kids injuries, I saw the press scrum at the prospects camp all they ask him was more stuff about his injuries.
Would be nice to have an interview about his training and how he is getting ready for the season. I look forward to watching him play this year and seeing him grow.
Thought he was a good pick up when he fell to the 2nd rd
He’s not gonna be an NHLer i don’t care what anybody says, But there’s nothing wrong with being a great ahler.
Another robby shremp….
He has a better chance than Yamamoto.
I’m not seeing the comparison. Shremp was hyped up to being the “saviour”. I think people will be happy if Benson turns into any kind of NHL player at all.
No he wasn’t, he was hyped as hope he could get his poop together and he did not last long.
I fully understand that most Oil fans and writers live out west and only follow who prospects, but I PROMISE, once Kirilla the Thrilla shows up, there will be zero more talk of Benson OR Yamo. Two ✌ years. Promise.
*Whl prospects ?
Maksimov is one of my favorite prospect and he has the potential to make his draft pick one of the better one’s in Oilers history.
The Oilers haven’t had a shot like his in the lineup (from a forward) since the likes of Jason Arnott.
Krill is no sure bet to “make it” but, if he does, he will score some goals with that shot.
Looking forward to another great season in Niagra.
Due to all the injuries and missed development time, we forget just how skilled Benson is – he almost received exceptional status in to the CHL.
With that said, the lost development time is material and its unknown if it will change his ceiling as a prospect.
If his skating is forever limited due to the injuries, it probably takes him out of the running to be a top 6 player but he has an all-around game that projects to be a potential solid to upper end middle 6 player.
No sure bet but, if he can stay healthy, he is a very skilled player (great with the puck in tight) that is also a very smart player. If his skating comes back to pre-injury levels, he may be a bit of a diamond in the rough.
Here is hoping he has a great year in Bakersfield.
That 2012-2013 season with South Side was something. The good and the bad of early specialization and arguably “me show” coaching. Also. It coincided with yet another NHL lockout.
A ton of those 146 points were gained in blowout wins as that SSAC team was stacked. Pretty much a sickening display of greed in some of those tilts, but alas, all water under the bridge at this point.
I do query the groups opinion on early specialization however. Or rather, please speculate on how much of Bensons injury history is rooted in the practices of year round hockey training and the vices of check book hockey.
That 146 point year he was the typical man child playing against boys, he was further developed physically with size, speed and skill that allowed him to dominate. The injury issues (as i recall) started to show up when he left home and went to BC for immersive midget years at POE.
Shoulda went to Notre Dame!! HA! SASKY TOUGH!!
One of my favorites to track development for sure. He will get a shot. Unfortunately it will likely be due to injury call up. I hope he makes the most of it.
Geez, that Ronning feller has a heck of a shot.
Tyler was a good pick as he fell a long way in the draft. It sorta reminds me of how Kailer (size) fell with injuries causing Benson to miss the first round. I heard he played a solid all round game this summer at DevCamp.
Yes, Benson was a first round talent that fell because of injuries but Yamamoto did not fall in the draft – the Oilers picked him in and around where he was slated to go.
He was simply ranked a little lower because his size creates risk – if he was 5 inches taller and 25 pounds heavier, he’d have gone near the top 5.
Tyler Benson, Vancouver Giants. Griffin Reinhart, North Vancouver & Edm Oil Kings
……..Hmmm?
Would just like to remind you all of the last hometown boy to make it big in Oilerville. Remember a guy named Messier? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not comparing young Ty the moose but this kid has got game. Let’s cheer for the hometown boy, he is going to surprise lot of you and make believers out of non-believers. He plays with heart, with an edge and he has far better hands than he’s being given credit for.
He has had injury issues and they definitely held him back, but they are over with (knock on wood) and he might be the diamond in the rough we need.