Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 18:31
By Andrew Vitalis
Let’s Play Hockey
As it turns out, the Minnesota state high school hockey “experience” truly does cross borders, city limits and even time zones. Ben Gordon, a former Minnesota Mr. Hockey finalist and Gopher hockey standout, remembers being glued to his computer to watch the 2011 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament. As he puts it, the tournament consumed his day.
He even found himself watching the games on the internet, sometimes just hours before he was scheduled to take the ice as a member of the Reading Royals of the ECHL. After that, it was the WCHA Final Five, then the NCAA Tournament; all taking place in the land of 10,000 lakes.
“My wife wasn’t too happy,” Gordon said when asked about watching the state hockey tournament. “I watched the live feed on Channel 45’s website. I spent hours on the computer. It didn’t matter if I had a game that night or not.
“I remember being a part of that when I was playing. It’s just a great experience and I was so proud to be a part of it. I try and tell guys that I am playing with now about the tournament and they have a hard time wrapping their brains around it. They would say, ‘You sold out the Xcel Energy Center for a high school hockey game?’ Just being from Minnesota you really don’t understand how important hockey is until you go somewhere else.”
The International Falls native does his best to keep up with hockey “back home.” That’s easier said than done for the third-year pro ... a busy third year pro.
Much like his days in maroon and gold, Gordon has become a jack of all trades on the ice. Currently third on team in scoring, Gordon tallied 57 points in 56 games during the regular season with Reading. In addition, the talented winger posted an impressive plus-11. He also spent time in the AHL with Rochester and Binghamton, posting three points in nine games with both squads.
Now currently in the middle of the ECHL playoffs, Gordon has helped Reading advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last Wednesday night (April 6), Gordon scored the game-winning goal in double overtime in a 5-4 Reading win over Cincinnati in the first round of the ECHL playoffs. It was the first game-winning goal of his professional career.
Gordon was also recently nominated by the Reading Royal fans as team MVP. His ability to do it all has forced him to wear several different hats this season. His schedule changes at the drop of a puck, and he loves every minute of it.
“He definitely has to wear a bunch of different hats,” Reading head coach Larry Courville said. “He’s considered to be an elite player at our level. He’s been asked to do a lot of things and he’s had to make the most of those opportunities. He doesn’t complain and has been a great teammate. He’s a tremendous hockey player and a tremendous person.”
“It’s fun, but it’s also a grind,” Gordon said. “You find yourself playing a lot of games, especially for a guy like me who goes up and down (AHL/ECHL) throughout the year. It’s hard because you find yourself relocating your life from time to time. My wife lives in Reading and she stays there when I travel. That’s hard, but again, it’s fun. I am playing professional hockey so I’m not going to complain about that. This is what I have wanted to do ever since I can remember and I’m doing it. Most people don’t have that opportunity.”
Opportunity is something Gordon has jumped on ever since he started lacing up his skates. He’s been described as an opportunist. Simply look at his career numbers and you will quickly see that balance has been one of his keys to success.
In 220 games as a pro, Gordon has tallied 75 goals and 138 assists; a total of 213 points. In 20 career playoff games, he’s notched 16 points, including his most recent game-winning goal. He’s had a nose for the net ever since he could remember.
And just to show he can do it on both ends of the ice, Gordon has a career plus/minus rating of +32. Numbers like that have made him valuable to whatever team is employing him at the given time, and that type of consistency will help keep him employed for several seasons to come.
Due to that versatility, Gordon is at a point in his career where options are all around. With his future sights still set on the NHL, the question is how to make the jump. Now considered a veteran, Gordon knows the numbers game is ever-changing in professional hockey.
Despite being considered one of the best in the ECHL, that doesn’t always mean there is going to be room to move. That reality has forced Gordon to look at several options, including Europe, which may be his next destination when the 2010-11 campaign comes to a close.
“I know I want to pursue a career in Europe at some point,” Gordon said. “I like Reading, I like playing for Larry. You just need to explore your options and when the time is right and the money is right, you need to do what’s right for you and your family. I would like to make the move sooner rather than later. Does that mean I’m for sure going next year? No, I’m not saying that just yet but eventually I need to get the ball rolling.”
Courville, who was hired as head coach in 2009 and also serves as the team’s Director of Hockey Operations, agrees.
“We would love to have him back, but I know his plan last year was to pursue Europe,” Courville said. “Who knows, I assume he’s going to look at Europe again. He’s going to be in his fourth year and guys in his position look to make some money. Sometimes the numbers game doesn’t allow players of his caliber to move up like he should. Guys look to make a move at one point to further their career. Like I said before, he’s considered an elite player at this level and he has options, but if things don’t work out, we would love to have him back.”
For now, Gordon’s focus is on a league championship and nothing else. Whatever happens after the season happens. After all, depending on a set schedule has never been his style.
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