Brian Benning, a Canadian defenseman, embarked on his professional hockey journey after being drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the second round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Born on June 10, 1966, in Edmonton, Alberta, Benning honed his skills in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kamloops Junior Oilers and later the Portland Winter Hawks. His performance in the WHL caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection by the Blues.
Benning made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues during the 1985-86 season. Known for his offensive capabilities from the blue line, he quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman. In his rookie season, he played 65 games, scoring 10 goals and providing 17 assists. His ability to contribute offensively was a valuable asset to the Blues, and he continued to develop his game over the next few seasons.
In 1987, Benning was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, where he continued to showcase his offensive skills. During his time with the Kings, he played alongside some of the league's top talents, including Wayne Gretzky, who joined the team in 1988. Benning's tenure with the Kings saw him achieve career-high numbers in the 1988-89 season, where he recorded 50 points in 76 games, including 13 goals and 37 assists.
After three seasons with the Kings, Benning was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 1990. His stint with the Flyers was brief, as he played only 18 games before being traded again, this time to the Edmonton Oilers. Returning to his hometown team, Benning played parts of two seasons with the Oilers, contributing both offensively and defensively.
In 1992, Benning signed with the Florida Panthers, an expansion team preparing for its inaugural season in the NHL. As a member of the Panthers, he played a crucial role in helping the team establish itself in the league. Over two seasons with Florida, Benning provided veteran leadership and experience to a young roster.
Benning's final NHL stop came with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, another expansion team, where he played during the 1994-95 season. His experience was valuable to the fledgling franchise, and he continued to contribute on both ends of the ice.
Throughout his NHL career, Brian Benning played in 568 regular-season games, scoring 63 goals and adding 191 assists for a total of 254 points. His ability to contribute offensively from the defense position was a hallmark of his playing style. After retiring from professional hockey, Benning remained involved in the sport, contributing to the development of young players and sharing his knowledge of the game.
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