By Joshua Boyd
On Feb. 23, Niko Benjamin set the all-time regular season games played record for the National Collegiate Development Conference, marking his 185th regular season game. This broke the previous record of 184 games played by former Rockets Hockey Club and Jersey Hitmen standout Michael DiPietra, now playing at Trine University.
“It’s been an honor to achieve this NCDC milestone and to do it playing for Utica the entire time has been a great privilege,” said Benjamin, a 2004-born native of Surprise, Ariz. “Coach Louis Educate and all the coaching staff have been very instrumental in my development. They emphasized consistency and to never give up when adversity comes my way.”
Game 1 for Benjamin in the league was on Sept. 24, 2021, and he earned an assist in his NCDC debut as well. The 2021-22 season also marked Year 1 for Educate as the NCDC head coach.
“NIko has been a part of the Utica Jr. Comets NCDC program as long as I have been the Head Coach. Niko has had a major impact on this organization during his time here not only as a player but in helping build a winning culture. He has helped shape the teams Identity each and every year along with a full understanding on what our goals have been as an organization over the years,” said Educate. “It didn’t start out with a ton of on-ice success, but Niko has been the focal point as a player of the four year change that has taken place in Utica. It’s been great to see him at the forefront of the team’s success. Niko will have a lot to say down the stretch when it comes to this team’s run and ultimate success.”
Benjamin has been impressed with the level of play in the NCDC from the time he started. That made it all the harder to ultimately crest the 100-point mark, which he did as part of a four-point performance against the Islanders Hockey Club on March 1.
“This is a very tough league, but with the support and help from my coaches and teammates, my whole journey has been pretty fulfilling and fun so far,” said Benjamin. “I didn’t really know about getting past the 100 point mark. It’s cool how I reach both milestones at around the same time, but I sort of knew by the All-star break that the number of games played record was a possibility, but my real focus was just to always be ready to go.”
Educate is certainly enjoying his time with Benjamin in Maroon, Black and White while he still has him.
“It’s been a true pleasure to watch his growth as a player and as a person for the last four year. The milestones he has hit recently as well is a testament to who he is. Niko had plenty of other opportunities elsewhere the last couple of seasons but chose to stay in Utica because of his belief in our organization,” added Benjamin. “I am very proud of Niko and what he has recently accomplished with breaking the most games played record in NCDC history along with reaching the 100pts milestone with a four-point night. Niko will be a part of this organization for a lifetime.”
The NCDC congratulates Niko Benjamin on setting the games played record and breaking the 100-point mark.
