SHERWOOD PARK, AB: The Sherwood Park Crusaders are proud to announce that defenceman Michael Benning (2002) has been named the AJHL’s Outstanding Defenceman for the 2019/2020 season.
Benning is now the fourth Crusader to be recognized as the league’s top defenseman, joining Josh Healey (12/13), Calvin Brown (02/03), and Larry Oswald (81/82) as receipients of the award.
Benning, a Univerity of Denver commit, has developed into one of the most dynamic defenders in the CJHL since joining the Crusaders prior to the 2018/2019 campaign. The 18-year-old defenseman has accumulated an incredilbe 74 points (12 goals, 62 assists) from the back-end this season, good enough to lead all AJHL defenders in that category and outpacing his nearest competitior by 13 points. HIs 34 powerplay assists also pace the league. Benning has also had the chance to represent Team Canada on two occasions this season at both the Junior Club World Cup in Sochi, Russia and the World Junior A Challenge in Dawson Creek, BC.
The entire Crusaders organization would like to congratulate Michael and the entire Benning family on his accomplishment.
For more information, please contact Crusaders marketing director Spencer Love at spencerlove@sherwoodparkcrusaders.com.