Matty Beniers
The dynamic young center who became the fresh face of the Seattle Kraken, capturing the NHL's top rookie honor in his first full season.
Born 2002 (age 24)·American ice hockey player·Birthday: November 5·Generation Z
Biography
Matty Beniers arrived in the NHL with the weight of a new franchise on his shoulders, selected second overall by the Seattle Kraken as their first-ever draft pick. His path was forged at the University of Michigan, where his two-way intelligence and offensive flair made him a standout. Stepping directly into the Kraken lineup, Beniers didn't just fill a role; he energized it. His rookie campaign was a masterclass in consistency and poise, playing a complete game that earned him the Calder Trophy in 2023. More than just an award winner, Beniers immediately established himself as a foundational piece and a leader, wearing an 'A' for an expansion team that quickly shed its newcomer status.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Matty was born in 2002, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Matty Was Born
The biggest hits of 2002
#1 Movie
Spider-Man
Best Picture
Chicago
#1 TV Show
Friends
Matty's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2002Born
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2007Started school
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2015Became a teenager
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Could drive
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2020Could vote
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2023Turned 21
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 24 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year for the 2022-23 season.
- Drafted second overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the first draft selection in franchise history.
- Played collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan, contributing to a highly successful program.
Did You Know?
He was born in Hingham, Massachusetts.
He served as an alternate captain for the Kraken in only his second season.
He represented the United States at multiple World Junior Championships.
“My job is to play the right way, to help the team win any shift.”
