Benjamin Birkhahn '20 Recruiting Profile

Having played hockey since I was three years-old, I’ve learned that the sport is a metaphor for life: passion and hard worked mixed in with a lot of fun is usually a recipe for success.

This has been my philosophy for playing hockey since as long as I can remember my dad tying my skates and reinforcing that hard work and fun are the key ingredients for success.

Over the years, I’ve had my ups and downs on the ice; some great moments and some not so much. Throughout, the one consistent has been my passion for the game and everything that it entails.

Competitively, I played at the AA level my entire life through Bantams. I did so for a variety of reasons – primarily because of convenience to my home and a chance to play for a great coach and with a great group of kids, which all culminated in winning the New York State Championship in Buffalo, NY in 2017 (Bantam Major).

With the championship in hand, I decided to make the jump to AAA the following year, when I joined the 15 Pure AAA team for the North Jersey Avalanche (Avs) in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League under Head Coach Jason May. It was very difficult saying goodbye to friends, teammates and coaches that I love like brothers, but change is often difficult but necessary.

During my first year with the Avs, I fell in love with the game all over again. I experienced a different style of coaching, a new system and a speed of the game that was extremely fun and challenging in which to play.

My new coaches and the enhanced level of competition pushed me like never before, which resulted in significant growth for me on and off the ice. I learned fairly quickly that the speed of the game required me to simplify my approach and trust my coaches and teammates. As a result, I experienced more success on the ice and in the locker room, earning more ice time as the season progressed.

But, perhaps most importantly, was the bond in the locker room that took shape as the season progressed. I’ve never played with a more selfless group of players who pulled and played for one another no matter the score or what the situation was on the ice.

At the end of the season, Coach May paid me the highest compliment by naming me to the AYHL 2018 All Star Game at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT and reinforcing that my work ethic, energy and leadership on the ice and in the locker room were the reasons why he afforded me this opportunity. It was an exciting culmination to a fun year with great coaching, teammates and competition.

This year (2018/2019 season), I am playing for Coach Brack Healy on the New Jersey Hitmen 16U Premier (national-bound) in the United States Premier Hockey League. We’ve just started playing together but I can already sense the spirit and quality of the program is going to afford me every opportunity to grow my game while continuing to nurture my passion for the sport.

Outside of hockey, my interests and passions include photography (aerial and action photography/video via drones, GoPros, etc.) and working with special needs children. With photography, I work part-time for my school district helping them capture photos and videos for various events, such as football games and student-organized protests. I also volunteer my time working with an organization called Buddy Basketball, which introduces basketball to children with severe learning disabilities. I’ve been working with one “buddy” for the past three years and watching his love for the game of basketball grow has been one of the best experiences of my life. During the summer, I teach kids how to play roller hockey at Camp Greylock in Becket, MA.

As I enter my junior year of high school, my goal is to focus on academics and continue growing my game on and off the ice. I believe I not only have the talent to compete for a college team, but the character, work-ethic, and leadership skills to make an immediate impact at that level.

I’m thankful for all the opportunities given to me up until this point in my life; now it’s time to make the most of it.