Buffalo Sabres draft Zach Benson No. 13 overall in 2023 NHL Draft

The Buffalo Sabres have selected forward Zach Benson No. 13 overall. Benson most recently played for the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

The 5-foot-10, 159-pound forward notched a Winnipeg Ice team-leading 98 points (36 goals, 62 assists) in 60 games this past season. He was second in WHL scoring amongst draft-eligible players, trailing Connor Bedard.

The Langley, British Columbia, playmaker is an elite passer with incredible vision. He is one of the most innovative players in this draft class and uses that intelligence on both sides of the puck. He has the potential to be an elite forward with solid two-way tendencies who can score at a point-per-game pace.

“Benson’s biggest asset is the way he reads plays,” a scout said. “One of the smartest players in the draft class. He’s also so defensively responsible, which isn’t always the case for kids putting up nearly 100 points.”

During the Ice’s postseason run in the WHL playoffs, Benson registered 17 points in 15 games; during the 2021-22 season, he tallied 23 points in 15 games. He is intense and competitive, which should make him an attractive player to bring into any organization.

“His defensive play, specifically, is such an underrated aspect of his overall package,” Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis said. “He’s never floating around, waiting for the play to come to him. Benson’s head is always on a swivel and is capable of making quick decisions to get the puck out of the net. So you mix that with natural offensive instincts, and you’ve got one heck of a prospect that deserves all the hype he gets.

Benson joins a prospect pool that features the likes of fellow WHL teammate and Sabres prospect Matthew Savoie and more. He will return to the WHL, but this time to the Wenatchee Wild, where the Ice relocated to back in early June.