MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State men's hockey announced the addition of forward Luigi Benincasa on Tuesday. Benincasa comes to the Mavericks from Ferris State, where he played 33 games as a freshman for the Bulldogs.
 
From Edmonton, Alberta, Benincasa posted seven goals, 16 assists and 23 points with six penalty minutes and a plus-2 rating last year. Prior to college, he played three seasons with the Spruce Grove Fighting Saints in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). He led the team with 79 points, 48 assists and 31 goals in 2022-23, including nine goals and 16 points in the playoffs. The previous year, Benincasa recorded 36 goals and 68 points.

"Luigi brings an element of awareness in all three zones," said head coach Luke Strand. "His ability to play on both sides of the puck along with a great freshman season will grow our group."
 
Benincasa adds scoring potential to the Mavericks, following the graduations of fifth-year top-line forwards Lucas Sowder and Sam Morton. He was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team at Ferris State and was also on the Tim Taylor Award watch list, adjudged to be the most outstanding freshman in NCAA Division I hockey.
 
Benincasa earned CCHA Rookie of the Month in January after posting six points in six games, including a three point performance in a 5-3 win over Bemidji State on Jan. 6. The 5-foot-7-inch Canadian took home CCHA Rookie of the Week honors twice and played top line minutes with seniors Antonio Venuto and Jason Brancheau.
 
Benincasa added one assist in four head-to-head matchups with the Mavericks last season. He closed out the season with a plus-2 rating (plus-7 in CCHA matchups) with 64 shots on goal and six penalty minutes. He also won 195-209 faceoffs (.483).

Minnesota State finished the 2023-24 season with an 18-15-4 record (12-10-2 CCHA) and made an appearance in the CCHA Semifinals in Luke Strand's first year as Head Coach.