Ottawa, Ont. — When the Belleville Senators took the ice for their first game action on Sept. 22 against the University of Ottawa, forward Ben Sexton had an “A” on his chest.
For the 26-year-old Ottawa native, the journey has come full circle. A former standout with the CCHL’s Nepean Raiders (2007-09), Sexton’s path in hockey has taken him through Clarkson University, where he was a two-year captain, and three stops in the American Hockey League — the latest of which has brought him back north of the border.
“It’s cool — to be able to not cross the border for the first time in seven years is kind of nice,” Sexton told TheCCHL.ca. “To be able to play in a hockey-hungry city like Belleville, that lost the Bulls a couple years ago, I’m excited to get down and get to work.”
An immediate impact player with Nepean as a 16 year-old, Sexton looks back fondly on his time in ‘The Central’.
“The Raiders were an organization that treated me really well, (and) I was able to get drafted to the NHL from there,” said Sexton. “It was an awesome league for me to develop (in) before college.”
Recruited by Clarkson during an impressive 2007-08 rookie campaign that saw him lead the Raiders in rookie scoring with 30 points, the Kanata MHA product saw a good fit.
“I had some (other) offers but Clarkson was the best fit for me; an hour-45 from home for me, (a) good business school (and) good hockey program,” reflected Sexton, who would go on to captain the Golden Knights. “The jump from junior to college is like anything — guys are bigger, faster, stronger — (and) it took me a little while to get adjusted, but I had a great four years.”
Entering his fourth full season in the AHL, Sexton has solidified a reputation as a strong two-way player. Last year with Albany, he also showcased a nose for the net.
“Everything’s about timing — I knew I had the offensive instincts to produce, but I had to wait for my time,” said the 5-foot-11 forward, who netted 19 times — more than double his output from his first three pro seasons — with the Devils in 2016-17. “After Christmas I found my groove, had a shoot-first mentality (and) was playing with some good players. It worked out well.”
With last year’s 19-goal haul and three-plus years of pro experience in his back pocket, Sexton is sure to have a key role with the Senators’ AHL affiliate in their first season in Belleville.
Ben Sexton Trivia
Favourite CCHL Memory: “Just the guys that I played with, they were great guys. We had a great group both my years there — as a 16 year-old I can’t thank the 20 year-olds enough. I really enjoyed my time in the league.”
Fav Food: “I’ll eat literally anything, but obviously trying to keep it healthy. My cheat meal would probably be pizza.”
Fav Music: “I’m a big country guy.”
School: “I was a finance major at Clarkson, but don’t know if I’ll ever get into that field.”
After Hockey: “I hope to stay in the game as long as I can, but playing doesn’t last forever. I’ll hopefully stay within the game somehow.”
