After graduating, Benning, along with Sherwood Park teammates Reid Irwin and Carter Savoie, travelled south and began attending the University of Denver.

Due in part to a late start and a shortened season, the Denver Pioneers had a poor performance that saw them finish with a losing record for the first time in over 20 years.

During the postseason, Benning proved to be pivotal in Denver's success, helping the team win three one-goal games to reach the championship match.

With his team down in the third period of the final, Benning assisted on the game-tying goal and then scored what proved to be the deciding marker less than three minutes later.

[3] Following the conclusion of his junior season with the Pioneers in 2022–23, Benning ended his collegiate career in signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers on April 13, 2023.