Not that it was ever in doubt, but Chilliwack’s Zach Benson has officially signed a National Hockey League contract.
A first round (13th overall) pick of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres last month, the teenager put pen to paper on a three-year entry level deal. It’s a two-way pact, meaning Benson can either be in the NHL or minor-pro American Hockey League. At the big league level, the contract pays $950,000 per season plus whatever performance bonuses Benson’s agent negotiated.
Benson reportedly impressed in early on-ice action at Buffalo’s development camp, and it’s possible he could stick with the Sabres coming out of training camp in September. It’s more likely he’ll be back with the Western Hockey League looking to build off an impressive campaign where he finished third in league scoring with 98 points (36 goals).
Benson produced those totals with the Winnipeg Ice, who’ve since relocated to Wenatchee, WA.
He has racked up 181 points (71 goals) in 142 WHL regular season contests and helped Winnipeg reach the WHL final last season. He is teh second highest drafted Chilliwackian ever behind Dave Archibald, who went sixth overall to the Minnesota North Stars in 1987.
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