Name: Mac Bennett

Team: Hotchkiss Prep(Connecticut)

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 170 lbs.

2008-2009 stats: 15 games played, 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points

Prospect Info:

Mac Bennett comes from a family of hockey players. His father starred at Brown University, while his grandfather and two uncles all played in the NHL. Bennett looks poised to be the next member of his family to someday play in the NHL. Bennett is a very smart, and smooth-skating defenseman that is playing prep school hockey in Connecticut.

During his sophomore season, Bennett showed up on the radar of many top US colleges, and he eventually decided on the University of Michigan. Because he was only a junior in high school this past season, he'll either play next season with Hotchkiss again or in the USHL, before joining Michigan in 2010.

Strengths: Ability to handle pressure, skating ability

Needs to improve: Adding strength, playing more physical

Miscellaneous: Father: Jim Bennett, Grandfather: Harvey Bennett, Uncles: Curt Bennett, Harvey Bennett, Jr.

Links of Interest

Mac The Knife- New England Hockey Journal October 2007

Mac Bennett to Michigan- Blog That Yost Built February 2008

Hockey Star Bennett Bound for Michigan- Providence Journal February 2008

Hockey News Hot List Hockey News November 2008

Draft Prospect Bennett Has Bright Future- NHL.com January 2009

Local Teen May Be Headed to NHL- WPRI News March 2009

Orr Advises Bennett - Rhode Island HS Sports April 2009

Hotchkiss Friends Have High Hopes-New England Hockey Journal June 2009

On WCH...

July 17, 2008: "Mac Bennett(Michigan recruit)-Always calm, cool and collected. Had the most poise with the puck of any defenseman at the camp."

December 3, 2008: "Mac Bennett: He's kind of flying under the radar right now, but I think fans will really like him. He should be a pretty high draft pick this summer, and could step in and play for Michigan next year if he were done with high school. He's one of the most poised defenseman I've ever seen and is a great skater."

Final Projection:

Bennett is a little more risky of a prospect because teams haven't had as much opportunity to see him play against top competition, having played in the New England prep league. Whichever team selects him will also be hoping he grows a couple of inches and more importantly, adds a little bit of weight. If Bennett was a little taller and stronger, and had had a successful year in the USHL, he'd likely be seen as a solid first round pick--think Chicago Steel D John Moore, who will likely go mid-first round. That added element of unknown will likely push him down to the late second, early third round of the draft, but the promise of big-time ability makes him an intriguing, and ultimately very good pick.