Panthers Recall Mike Benning

The Florida Panthers have recalled defenseman Mike Benning from the Checkers.

Benning, 24, has skated in all 56 games for Charlotte this season, scoring eight goals and adding 23 assists. The St. Albert, AB, native leads the Checkers in assists, ranking fifth on the team in points (31).

The right-handed defenseman is in his third pro season and has appeared in 182 AHL games, recording 89 points (26 goals, 63 assists). Benning has spent all his professional career in Charlotte; he has not yet made his NHL debut.

The Panthers selected Benning with the 95th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Before joining the Checkers, Benning spent three seasons at the University of Denver, winning a national championship with the Pioneers in 2021-22.