Brian Benning

Brian Anthony Benning (born June 10, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Florida Panthers. He is the younger brother of former Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning, and former NCAA player Mark Benning. He is the father of both Toronto Marlies defenceman Matt Benning and Florida Panthers defenceman Mike Benning.

Playing career Benning was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the second round, 26th overall in the 1984 NHL entry draft. He made his debut in the NHL during the 1984–85 NHL season with the Blues, playing in four games. Benning finally got the chance to have a full-time job in the NHL during the 1986–87 season. That year he played in 78 games with the Blues and scored a career-high 49 points. Benning then played two more full seasons with the Blues before being traded at the beginning of the 1989–90 season to the Los Angeles Kings. He played three seasons there before having brief stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers.

Benning finished his career with the Florida Panthers. He was on the inaugural 1993–94 Panthers team that surprised many by nearly making the playoffs. He retired after the 1994–95 season.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1981–82 St. Albert Saints AJHL 3 0 2 2 14 — — — — — 1982–83 St. Albert Saints AJHL 57 8 38 46 81 — — — — — 1983–84 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 38 6 41 47 108 — — — — — 1984–85 Kamloops Blazers WHL 17 3 18 21 26 — — — — — 1984–85 St. Louis Blues NHL 4 0 2 2 0 — — — — — 1985–86 Canadian National Team Intl 60 6 13 19 43 — — — — — 1985–86 St. Louis Blues NHL — — — — — 6 1 2 3 13 1986–87 Canadian National Team Intl 20 1 4 5 22 — — — — — 1986–87 St. Louis Blues NHL 78 13 36 49 110 6 0 4 4 9 1987–88 St. Louis Blues NHL 77 8 29 37 107 10 1 6 7 25 1988–89 St. Louis Blues NHL 66 8 26 34 102 7 1 1 2 11 1989–90 St. Louis Blues NHL 7 1 1 2 2 — — — — — 1989–90 Los Angeles Kings NHL 48 5 18 23 104 7 0 2 2 6 1990–91 Los Angeles Kings NHL 61 7 24 31 127 12 0 5 5 6 1991–92 Los Angeles Kings NHL 53 2 30 32 99 — — — — — 1991–92 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 22 2 12 14 35 — — — — — 1992–93 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 37 9 17 26 93 — — — — — 1992–93 Edmonton Oilers NHL 18 1 7 8 59 — — — — — 1993–94 Florida Panthers NHL 73 6 24 30 107 — — — — — 1994–95 Florida Panthers NHL 24 1 7 8 18 — — — — — NHL totals 568 63 233 296 963 48 3 20 23 70

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 1993 Canada WC 4th 8 1 2 3 0 Senior totals 8 1 2 3 0

Awards and honours Award Year NHL All-Rookie Team 1987