2021 | Rhode Island | BOYS

Portsmouth High School Varsity Hockey Team | Patriots | BOYS

Ben McGowan exemplifies the ideals of Hobey Baker in every aspect of his life. Wrapping up his best high school hockey season, Ben has excelled in every aspect of his game. During the seven games of this COVID abbreviated campaign, he surpassed his performance during his 21 game appearances during each of his sophomore and junior years. Not only did he lead the team’s defensive corps in all offensive and defensive categories, he also rivaled the performance of the forwards. He had the second most shots on goal and the second most assists among all players on the team. He is a play-making defenseman with a tremendous shot from the blue line, yet is capable of carrying the puck deep into the opponent’s zone to get offensive action started. Defensively, he led the team in checking, averaging nearly five hits on opponent players each game. As a testament to his exceptional performance at both ends of the ice, he earned the second highest plus-minus rating on the squad this season. His performance was recognized by being named as a First Team All-League Player, and by selection to appear in the league’s All-Star Game. A respected team leader both on and off the ice, it was an easy choice for the head coach to select Ben as the captain of the team this season. Ben is much more than just a talented hockey player. His success on the ice is more than equaled by his scholastic excellence. He leads academically as an Honor Roll student, a member of the National Honor Society, and through service as a Senior Mentor. His classroom performance was also recognized by the hockey league which designated him as an All-Academic Team member. A well rounded athlete, he is a member of the school’s varsity golf team. And he is serious about his golf. During golfing season he is frequently found honing his skills on the links at a local country club where he is a junior member. A dedicated and hard-working young man, when not in school he holds down jobs as a caddy at one country club, and on the staff of another. After graduation he is looking forward to attending High Point University in North Carolina, where he intends to work toward a degree in Business Administration. There can be no better candid for this award. Ben McGowan is most deserving of the honor accorded a recipient of the Hobey Baker High School Character Award.