With so much 2020 draft emphasis surrounding the CHL , the Junior ‘A’ prospect pool has been slightly overshadowed – at least in this draft feature. However, the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) had three prospects listed in the top 77 North American skaters on Central Scouting’s final ranking.
Interestingly, the three AJHL prospects all grew up in St. Albert, Alberta. Two of the three play for the Sherwood Park Crusaders including defenceman Matt Benning and left winger Carter Savoie. The remaining AJHL prospect is defenceman Ethan Edwards from the Spruce Grove Saints.
Michael Benning – Sherwood Park Crusaders, RD
Young Michael Benning is the son of former NHL’er Brian Benning, brother of NHL defenseman Matt Benning, and nephew of Vancouver Canuck GM Jim Benning. Despite all these NHL connections Michael is determined to create his own path. To date, he has done an excellent job of making his own way to bigger things within the game of hockey.
Benning checks a lot of boxes – skates well, good mobility, skill, but above all – hockey smarts. Particularly in the top half of the offensive zone. Benning can quarterback options from that specific area of the ice and in doing so creates all kinds of opportunities by spreading the puck around. In his first two AJHL seasons, Benning scored 22 goals and added 114 assists (136) over 114 games. As a D-man. In his first two years!
Benning’s final Central Scouting rank amongst North American skaters was spot #57. Both Benning and Carter Savoie are committed to attend the University of Denver.
Carter Savoie – Sherwood Park Crusaders, LW
Benning’s teammate and close friend, Carter Savoie also had big offensive numbers in his first two junior seasons. As a rookie, Savoie finished with 31 goals and 42 assists (73) in 58 games. During his sophomore year in Sherwood Park, Savoie was on a goal per game pace before Covid. Despite the short season, Savoie finished with 53 goals and 46 (99) assists in 54 games. Obviously, a great finisher, Savoie has a great release with plenty of natural zip on his shot.
Savoie finished in the 50th position on Central Scouting’s 2020 draft list for North American’s. Savoie’s younger brother, Matthew Savoie, was the first overall pick in the 2019 WHL draft. The younger Savoie will be a full-time member of the Winnipeg Ice when the WHL season starts – look for his name during draft time in two years.
Ethan Edwards – Spruce Grove Saints, LD
The last of the AJHL players is Ethan Edwards of the Spruce Grove Saints. Like Benning, Edwards has very good hockey sense and is an sharp overall puck mover. He was always slightly undersized as a minor hockey player, so he had to out think forecheckers. Edwards now stands at 5’10. Not a giant, but his early days made him to quickly retrieve and move pucks under pressure. Edwards also has offensive ability, and finished the shortened 19/20 season with 9 goals and 24 assists (33) in 50 games.
Edwards landed in the 77th spot on the North American skater list according to NHL Central Scouting.
The 2020 NHL Draft is now four days away. Will we see a busy weekend leading into Tuesday evening?
NEXT: Prospect and NHL Draft News: WHL Depth in 2020 (Part III)
