ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Matty Beniers has become the face for the Seattle Kraken in their third year of NHL existence. Last week, the organization made him the highest paid forward for their franchise as he signed a seven-year $49.98 million contract averaging to $7.14 million per season.

Beniers played two seasons for Michigan and was the Big Ten scoring champion in his sophomore season of 2021-22. He scored 27 points in 20 Big Ten games and led the Wolverines with 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points. For his great season, the Big Ten named him to the first team and he was a finalist for the Big Ten Player of the Year.

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The Kraken took him second in the NHL 2021 Entry Draft as their first-ever pick. Since then, he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year in 2022-23 and now has 42 goals, 61 assists in 167 regular season games.

General Manager Ron Francis said, “Matty has been a core part of our team since making his NHL debut, not only on the ice but in his commitment to our community and our fans. Signing Matty to a new contract was a top priority for our offseason, and we are excited to have it done.”