There's More Than Meets the Eye With Adam Benak

Standing at only 5'8”, you’d think Adam Benak would be a long shot to play in the NHL. However, that’s not the case for Minnesota Wild’s fourth-round selection out of Czechia.

The Wild took Benak with the 102nd pick in last year’s draft. He may only be 5’8”, 163 lbs. Still, when you look at how he puts the puck in the net, his vision on the ice, his 200-foot game, and his motor, you’d never be able to guess that his size was holding him back.

Benak played in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms last year, where he was the leading scorer with 59 points in 56 games. Benak has dominated wherever he has played, whether it’s internationally or in the Czech leagues. He has been a point-per-game player or better at almost every single level of hockey he’s played. 

Before dominating the USHL, Benak set the record for most points scored at the Hilinka-Gtetzky international tournament. His 17 points in seven games broke the record of 15 points set years ago. He has 21 points in 10 career games. 

Although Benak spent last season in the USHL, the Brantford Bulldogs took him second overall in the CHL import draft. Benak hasn’t indicated whether he’ll play in Brantford or continue with the Phantoms.

There is something about Benak’s game that scouts in Minnesota love.

“Just wait until he hits puberty. He’s still a boy,” Youngstown coach Ryan Ward said about Benák’s size. 

“People that look at his size should think twice. He’s a special player. Just give him some time,” Ward continued. “He’s an extraordinary hockey player. So competitive, so smart, unbelievable passer.”

“He’s the kid that everybody tells me that if he were six-foot, he’d be a first-round pick, even a top-five pick. That’s how good this kid is,” The Athletic beat reporter Michael Russo said on his podcast with Wild play-by-play broadcaster Anthony LaPanta. “Played at Youngstown last year. From Czechia. English is fantastic. Buddies with Spacek. Buddies with both Jiricek brothers. … You look at his YouTube stuff. He is special.”

On draft night, David Jiricek found Benak in the stands and gave him a ton of Wild gear. The connections to Minnesota’s current players are already strong. And as a smaller player, Benak can use Marco Rossi and Mats Zuccarello as examples of two other smaller players who have found success in Minnesota.

Benak shares many similar attributes to Rossi.

“He gives us speed, he gives us finesse, he sees the game,” said Jaroslav Nedved, Czechia’s assistant coach. “He’s a big part of our group. For us, he’s the biggest impact on our game. With his speed and hockey IQ, he sees the game one step ahead of everybody else. 

“He can skate one way to bring the defenceman in, and then he can pass it or delay it and put it to the second wave. And he knows what’s going to happen before everybody else knows. If he goes to the right or left side of the rink with the puck, it’s for a reason. 

“How do you say it in music? He’s the conductor, or the orchestrator. He orchestrates his teammates.”

Remind you of anyone?

“I think my work ethic is the biggest difference,” said Benak. “I know I’m smaller, but you don’t have to be the biggest guy if you’re the hardest worker. So that’s what I’m trying to do, and show people that size doesn’t matter for me.”

Benak sees his size as an advantage and can’t wait to prove the doubters wrong.

All stats and data via HockeyDB, Elite Prospects, and CapWages unless otherwise noted.