Adam Benak makes history with standout play at Hlinka Gretzky Cup
EDMONTON — Adam Benak knew just before the end of the second period of a decisive 7-3 victory over Germany that he had made Hlinka Gretzky Cup history.
His teammates, from the bench, informed him of the fact.
Benak, a top eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, surpassed Magnus Paajarvi‘s 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) at the Hlinka tournament with a three-goal, five-point effort to vault him into the showcase’s all-time lead.
“My teammates told me,” Benak said.
“On the bench after, I don’t know, the fourth goal, I think.
“It’s good. Good to know. Many good players are here and I have the most points. I’m happy for this.”
Představujeme: Král 👑 hattrick Benák.
🇩🇪⚔️🇨🇿 2:5#GERCZE #narodnitym | @HlinkaMemorial pic.twitter.com/0812o5euBm
— Český hokej (@czehockey) August 6, 2024
Benak had an impressive showing as a 16-year-old at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, netting 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in five games. Through two games at the 2024 edition, the center has seven points (three goals, four assists).
That puts him two clear of Paajarvi’s all-time total with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) with, potentially, three games remaining.
Benak’s scouting report
If Benak keeps pace, he could challenge for the single tournament record of 13 points, shared by five skaters and most recently matched by Philadelphia Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov in 2021.
Should he be able to, it’ll be a result of the teenager’s vision and motor.
“I focus mostly on the speed,” Benak self-assessed. “I’m a little bit smaller than most other guys but I think I’m more skilled. I think I’m fast. I’m a little bit more a playmaker than scorer.”
Scouts will agree with that, too.
He’s endeared himself to the scouting community with his hockey IQ, penchant for scoring, ability to set up linemates, and overall work-rate.
“Benak is a high-end offensive player,” FCHockey European scout Samuel Tirpak said. “He has high IQ, he is a great playmaker. The technical side of his game is as close to perfect as you can get in a draft prospect. Generates so much offense consistently. Great speed and mobility while also being able to create at that speed.”
Questions about size will follow Benak around
Size will undoubtedly be a storyline in Benak’s draft season. At 5-foot-7 and 153 pounds, he’s at an immediate disadvantage to his bigger, stronger opponents.
The fact doesn’t come as a shock to Benak, who will play with Youngstown in the United States Hockey League next season because he doesn’t believe he’s “prepared for the Extraliga for the pro league” despite also playing 18 games for HC Plzen’s men’s program last season.
“I think I need to work harder because I’m smaller,” admitted Benak, who shredded Czechia’s U20 league with 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists ) in 29 games as a 16-year-old in 2023-24. I need to be faster than the bigger guys.”
Benak is listed at 5’7″ and 157 pounds. Here’s the list of skaters to play at least one NHL game at that height (or smaller) since 2005-06…
It’s not an extensive list… https://t.co/8GLxFKLL3R pic.twitter.com/2n6IGJrexD
— Aaron Vickers (@AAVickers) August 6, 2024
Only 10 skaters registering an official height of 5-foot-7 or shorter have logged a twirl on NHL ice since the start of the 2005-06 season. Only six of those have hit triple digits in career games played.
Only two were taken with a pick in the NHL Entry Draft that logged in the double digits.
None were selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.
Benak will hope to buck that trend.
“There’s his offensive game… and it’s impressive… but given he was always the smallest player on the ice, the way he handles battles and playing against bigger guys, the puck protection qualities, that’s something that has been impressive about him even against pros last year in Czechia.
“I wouldn’t say it would impact what teams think of him much, but the size could deter teams from selecting him high and he could end up dropping on a draft day quite a bit.”