Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Carmen Marins
Zach Benson is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a winger for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 12, 2005, in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, Benson comes from a close-knit family with an unusual background in the traveling carnival industry.
His parents, Darcy Benson and Jaclyn Benson, operate a family carnival business that has entertained communities across Western Canada for generations. He also has two younger brothers, Levi Benson and Dylan Benson, who grew up alongside him while traveling with their family.
Although Benson has spoken extensively about his parents, siblings and childhood experiences, he has kept his romantic life private. There is no reliable public confirmation identifying a girlfriend, wife or children.
Zach Benson’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Zach Benson has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend or being in a romantic relationship.
Despite his growing popularity in the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres forward has maintained considerable privacy regarding his dating life.
His interviews and public appearances have primarily focused on his hockey career, relationships with teammates, family business and experiences growing up in British Columbia.
There are no reliably verified reports identifying a current girlfriend.
Although Benson occasionally discusses his personal life, he has not made a widely documented announcement about a romantic partner.
Therefore, his relationship status remains private, and it would be inaccurate to identify a particular woman as his girlfriend without confirmation.
Is Zach Benson Married?
There is no reliable public information indicating that Zach Benson is married.
The Buffalo Sabres player has not publicly announced a wedding, and credible sports publications have not established the identity of a wife.
His public interviews have largely concentrated on professional hockey and his family background rather than marriage or romantic relationships.
Does Zach Benson Have Children?
There is no publicly verified information indicating that Zach Benson has children.
The Canadian hockey player has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father, and official NHL biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Most available information about his family concerns his parents, younger brothers and relatives involved in the family’s carnival business.
Without reliable confirmation, claims about children would be speculative.
Zach Benson’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Zach Benson’s parents are Darcy Benson and Jaclyn Benson, who raised their three sons in Chilliwack, British Columbia.
Unlike many hockey families whose schedules revolve primarily around local sports activities, the Bensons spent their summers traveling across Western Canada while operating their carnival business.
Both parents played important roles in helping Zach balance his hockey development with the demands of family life.
In April 2022, the Winnipeg Free Press published a detailed feature describing the family’s unusual lifestyle and its influence on Zach’s personality.
Zach Benson’s Father: Darcy Benson
Darcy Benson is Zach Benson’s father and one of the most influential figures in his hockey development.
Darcy is involved in operating West Coast Amusements, a Canadian traveling carnival company that provides midway rides, games and attractions at fairs throughout Western Canada.
The company has been operated by members of the extended family for generations.
According to a 2024 article published by CarnivalWarehouse.com, Darcy and Jaclyn work alongside other family members in managing the business.
During Zach’s childhood, Darcy spent much of the summer traveling between communities in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
His family frequently lived in a recreational vehicle while working at fairs and festivals.
Despite his professional responsibilities, Darcy encouraged his son’s interest in ice hockey from an early age.
According to an NHL.com interview published in June 2023, Darcy was an enthusiastic hockey fan who regularly watched games on television.
Zach developed a similar interest, often sitting beside his father and watching professional hockey rather than playing video games.
Darcy’s favorite team was the Edmonton Oilers, and Zach grew up supporting the same organization.
As his son became more involved in competitive hockey, Darcy continued encouraging his development.
In 2022, he spoke publicly about the emotional challenge of leaving Zach with the Winnipeg ICE organization during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because of pandemic restrictions, the family had limited opportunities to meet the team’s coaching staff before Zach began living away from home.
Darcy later expressed appreciation for the positive environment provided by the organization’s coaches and players.
Zach Benson’s Mother: Jaclyn Benson
Zach Benson’s mother is Jaclyn Benson, also identified as Jaclyn Hauser Benson through her family’s involvement in West Coast Amusements.
Jaclyn has played an important role in supporting her son’s hockey ambitions while helping manage the family business.
During the summer carnival season, the family frequently moved between different communities for several months.
Because their schedule made regular hockey training difficult, Jaclyn worked to find alternative opportunities for her sons.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, she regularly searched for hockey camps within driving distance of the family’s carnival locations.
Whenever an accessible camp was available, she arranged for Zach and his brothers to participate.
On occasions when there were no nearby hockey facilities, the children remained active through swimming, running and other recreational activities.
Jaclyn’s efforts helped ensure that Zach could continue improving his hockey skills despite his family’s unusual lifestyle.
She also supported his progress through youth hockey programs in Chilliwack and later his move to Winnipeg.
During an interview ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, Benson revealed that his mother supported the Vancouver Canucks, while he preferred the Edmonton Oilers like his father.
Her dedication to balancing family responsibilities, business operations and youth hockey has been an important part of Zach’s development.
Zach Benson’s Siblings: Meet His Two Younger Brothers
Zach Benson has two younger brothers, Levi Benson and Dylan Benson.
Both grew up traveling with the family during the carnival season, sharing childhood experiences that included hockey camps, recreational activities and helping with the family’s business.
The brothers developed a close relationship through their shared experiences.
Levi Benson: Zach Benson’s Younger Brother
Levi Benson is Zach Benson’s younger brother and is also a competitive ice hockey player.
Born in 2007, Levi followed his older brother’s example by pursuing organized hockey in British Columbia.
He developed through youth hockey programs, including Yale Hockey Academy, where Zach had previously played.
Levi was selected by the Swift Current Broncos in the sixth round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
He later attracted attention from the Kelowna Rockets, who acquired his Western Hockey League playing rights in June 2024.
On June 25, 2024, Kelowna announced that Levi had signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the organization.
During the 2023–24 season, Levi recorded 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points in 29 games with Yale Hockey Academy’s under-18 prep team.
His performances demonstrated the offensive skills that had already made his older brother a successful professional player.
In September 2024, Levi discussed the advice he had received from Zach during his hockey development.
He explained that his brother encouraged him to rely on quickness and intelligent positioning when competing against larger opponents.
Levi also praised Zach’s work ethic, explaining that his older brother consistently worked harder than other players.
During the 2024–25 season, Levi played for the Kelowna Rockets.
In January 2026, the Rockets traded him to the Wenatchee Wild, allowing him to continue his development in the WHL.
The brothers’ shared experiences have created a strong connection between their hockey careers.
Dylan Benson: Zach Benson’s Youngest Brother
Dylan Benson is another of Zach Benson’s younger brothers.
His identity was confirmed in an April 2022 Winnipeg Free Press feature about the family’s carnival business.
Like Zach and Levi, Dylan grew up traveling across Western Canada with their parents during the summer months.
He participated in family activities and spent time with his brothers and cousins while the carnival moved between communities.
The family regularly organized recreational activities to keep the children active during their travels.
Although Dylan has been publicly identified as Zach’s brother, detailed information about his age, education and sporting activities has not been widely documented in reliable sources.
Unlike Levi, whose competitive hockey career has attracted media attention, Dylan has maintained a relatively private personal life.
The Benson Family’s Carnival Business
One of the most interesting aspects of Zach Benson’s family is its long-standing involvement in the Canadian carnival industry.
The family operates West Coast Amusements, a traveling entertainment company that provides midway rides, games and food attractions at community fairs.
The business has operated across Western Canada for generations and remains connected to the extended Hauser family.
A historical account published by Canada’s Community Stories project identifies Jaclyn and Darcy Benson as operators of one of the company’s traveling carnival units.
During Zach’s childhood, the family often spent two to three months traveling between different locations.
The experience meant that Zach and his brothers did not have a conventional summer schedule.
Instead, they lived in a recreational vehicle, explored new communities and participated in the daily operations of the carnival.
Zach Benson’s First Job at the Carnival
Before becoming an NHL player, Zach helped with his family’s traveling carnival business.
One of his favorite jobs involved working at the mini-doughnut stand.
He helped prepare and sell doughnuts to customers while the carnival visited different communities.
Although he enjoyed participating in the business, he was less comfortable with the technical responsibilities involved in operating large amusement rides.
In a 2022 interview, Benson explained that making mini-doughnuts was his favorite task.
His experiences working at the carnival helped him develop responsibility, communication skills and an appreciation for hard work.
On September 9, 2025, the Buffalo Sabres released an episode of their documentary series “Embedded” featuring Benson returning to the fairgrounds in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
The episode showed him reconnecting with his family’s business, competing against his brothers in carnival games and remembering his childhood experiences.
It also featured memories shared by his parents and grandparents.
Zach Benson’s Extended Family and Cousins
Zach Benson’s extended family has also played an important role in his upbringing.
His grandparents and other relatives are connected to the operation of West Coast Amusements.
The company’s history includes multiple generations of the Hauser family, with different relatives managing its traveling carnival operations.
Zach regularly spent time with his cousins while traveling across Western Canada during the summer.
According to Elite Prospects, his cousins include Canadian hockey players Diego Buttazzoni and Mirko Buttazzoni.
The family’s shared involvement in sports and business helped create a childhood environment centered on teamwork, competition and close family relationships.
Zach Benson’s Childhood and Family Background
Zach Benson grew up in Chilliwack, British Columbia, where he developed an interest in hockey at a young age.
He began playing organized hockey at approximately five years old.
His father encouraged his enthusiasm for the sport, while his mother helped arrange training opportunities during the family’s summer travels.
Benson played minor hockey in Chilliwack before progressing to Yale Hockey Academy.
His competitive development eventually attracted attention from the Winnipeg ICE of the Western Hockey League.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Benson joined Winnipeg’s junior hockey program and began living away from home.
The transition was challenging for his parents because they had spent much of his childhood traveling and working together as a family.
However, the experience helped him develop independence and prepare for professional hockey.
Zach Benson’s Billet Family in Winnipeg
While playing junior hockey with the Winnipeg ICE, Benson lived with a billet family that became an important part of his personal development.
His billet parents were Travis and Carmelle de Koning, who welcomed young hockey players into their household.
The family had previously hosted fellow hockey player Peyton Krebs.
Benson developed a particularly close relationship with the de Konings’ children, including Ashton and Dane.
The brothers regularly played mini-sticks, rode bicycles and spent time skating with him on the family’s backyard outdoor rink.
According to an October 2023 Buffalo Sabres feature, Benson often spent hours participating in games and activities with the family.
He later described those experiences as some of his favorite memories from Winnipeg.
The de Konings provided additional family support while Benson lived away from his parents and younger brothers.
How Zach Benson’s Family Influenced His NHL Career
Zach Benson’s family played a significant role in helping him reach the NHL.
His father introduced him to professional hockey and encouraged his competitive personality.
His mother ensured that he could continue training despite the family’s demanding carnival schedule.
His younger brothers provided companionship and opportunities for friendly competition.
Benson developed into one of the Western Hockey League’s leading young forwards while representing the Winnipeg ICE.
During the 2022–23 season, he recorded 36 goals and 62 assists for 98 points in 60 regular-season games.
His impressive performances led the Buffalo Sabres to select him with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
He made his NHL debut on October 12, 2023, against the New York Rangers, becoming one of the youngest players in Sabres history to appear in a regular-season game.
Benson scored his first NHL goal on November 22, 2023, against the Washington Capitals.
Following that achievement, he described how excited his parents and brothers were to see him reach another major milestone.
His successful transition to professional hockey reflected years of dedication and family encouragement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zach Benson’s Family
Who is Zach Benson’s girlfriend?
Zach Benson has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. His current romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Zach Benson married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Zach Benson is married.
Does Zach Benson have children?
There is no publicly verified information indicating that Zach Benson has children.
Who is Zach Benson’s father?
His father is Darcy Benson, who helps operate West Coast Amusements, a Canadian traveling carnival business.
Who is Zach Benson’s mother?
His mother is Jaclyn Benson, who has supported his hockey career since childhood and helps manage the family’s carnival business.
How many siblings does Zach Benson have?
Zach Benson has two younger brothers, Levi Benson and Dylan Benson.
Is Levi Benson related to Zach Benson?
Yes. Levi Benson is Zach’s younger brother and a competitive hockey player who has represented the Kelowna Rockets and Wenatchee Wild in the Western Hockey League.
Who is Dylan Benson?
Dylan Benson is Zach Benson’s younger brother. He grew up participating in family activities while traveling with the family’s carnival business.
What business does Zach Benson’s family own?
Zach Benson’s family operates West Coast Amusements, a traveling carnival company that provides rides, games and food attractions throughout Western Canada.
Who are Zach Benson’s cousins?
According to Elite Prospects, Zach Benson’s cousins include hockey players Diego Buttazzoni and Mirko Buttazzoni.
Where is Zach Benson’s family from?
Zach Benson was born and raised in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. His family has longstanding connections to the traveling carnival industry.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
