Adam Benak, a five-foot-seven center who grew up a short drive away from the birthplace of an NHL legend in Banik, Czechia, is making waves in the USHL for the Youngstown Phantoms.
In July, the young forward joined Youngstown and has posted almost point-per-game statistics in the USHL. Benak is NHL draft-eligible for the first time this year, and consensus projections have him in the top 35 available prospects despite being among the shortest members of the draft class.
According to Neutral Zone’s scouts, Benak is viewed as “a threat from almost anywhere in the offensive zone.” Despite a smaller frame, he possesses “the type of agility that allows him to create chase from the larger player.” The young pivot can score when he has the opportunity or distribute to teammates with elite passing skills as needed.
Benak dominated the most recent Hlinka-Gretzky tournaments while smashing the previous record for points scored. Benak is the all-time leader in points at that tournament, scoring six goals and 21 points in 10 games. That grand total is six more points than the previous leader, Magnus Paajarvi, a former NHLer for Edmonton.
Before arriving in North America, Benak impressed decision-makers enough to be called to the HC Skoda Plzen senior team at age 16. Benak dominated the U-20 competition at a point-per-game pace with 29 points in 29 games early in 2023-24, earning a call-up for the season’s final months in the highest level of hockey in Czechia. Benak showcased the mentality that has led to his success. “I need to work harder because I am smaller,” Benak told Daily Faceoff. “So I need to be faster than the bigger guys. I focus the most on building up my speed.”
This summer, Youngstown selected Benak with the 41st pick in the 3rd round of the USHL Futures Draft. The young pivot then faced a tough decision but chose to apply his craft in North America instead of staying home to play in the Czech Extraliga again. “I (was not) prepared for the (Czech) pro league, and I think I made the right decision going to Youngstown,” Benak said before the season. “It’s a new opportunity for me.”
The Phantoms are 17-12-1 through 30 games this season and Benak leads the teams in goals (9), assists (19), and points (28) over the first three months of the year. Benak is also tied for second in USHL rookie scoring—his 28 points trail Sioux Falls Stampede forward Ethan Wyttenbach’s 29 points this season.
Benak has impressed so much since arriving in North America that USA Hockey selected him to headline the 2025 All-American Prospects Game on Jan. 16 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. With his flashy offensive skills and high-end skating, Benak will be a prospect for hockey scouts and fans everywhere to watch over the coming years.
by Christopher Babos
A multi-sport credentialed sports journalist, Chris is a hybrid lead writer for Philadelphia Sports Network, primarily covering the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally, he covers the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin’s quest for NHL history for The Hockey Writers. If Chris is not writing about hockey, he is probably watching it somewhere as a scout for the USPHL’s Hershey Cubs in the Philadelphia region.