Avon's Ben Smith Brings Hockey's Famed Stanley Cup to Westminster School

Ken Dixon remembers Ben Smith as a five-year-old in Avon Youth Hockey's Learn-to-Skate Program. By age 10 Smith was already a leader on the ice, helping lead drills at practice. 

But like so many of Smith's former coaches and mentors, Dixon said most impressive were the young man's demeanor, humility and hard work. 

"He's always been a great person," Dixon said. "He'd score 150 to 200 goals a season but you'd never know it. He did what he needed to make the team a success. That's what he cared about." 

Smith went on to play at Westminster School in Simsbury before playing at Boston College and then as a professional hockey player. 

On Tuesday, Smith "brought it home" when he visited Westminster School with one of the most iconic trophies in sports — Lord Stanley's Cup. Each year the winner of the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Finals is awarded the trophy and each players spends a day with the cup.

Smith, drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008, played in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, garnering him a place in hockey history as part of the Blackhawks 2013 Stanley Cup Championship team. 

In addition to Westminster alum and friends, area youth hockey players were invited to the event. Hundreds lined up to see Smith and get their photos taken with the cup. 

Many purchased autographed photos, the proceeds of which will benefit One Fund Boston and Westminster's Crossroads Learning Program, which works with Hartford students. 

"It was a no brainer to bring it all back," Smith said. "This place has meant so much to my family." 

His parents Larry Alan Smith and Marguerita Smith and brother Christopher joined him for the visit. His brothers James and William were unable to attend.

Tim Joncas, director of athletics for Westminster, was assistant coach during Smith’s senior year with the school’s hockey team.

“As talented as he is in this game he’s never used it define him,” Joncas said.

Smith, listed as 5 feet 11 inches and 207, was somewhat written off to make it big in hockey due to his size, Joncas.

“I think what separated him was his work ethic,” Joncas said. “I don’t think he’s the kind of person you can set limits on.”

In May, the Hockey’sFuture web site essentially agreed, naming him the hardest working Blackhawks prospect.

Smith graduated from Westminster in 2006 and went on to Boston College, earning a bachelor's degree in history in May 2010.

He played hockey four years at both schools, assuming leadership roles and earning many accolades such as the 2010 Nathaniel J. Hasenfus "Eagle of the Year" which Boston College award to a make student athlete.

He was drafted 6th in the 2008 entry draft and for the past three years has played primarily for the Rockford Ice Hogs, the Blackhawks AHL affiliate. This past year he had 8 game winning goals for the team.

For the 2010-2011 season Smith was the Icehogs Rookie of the Year and man of the year. He also kept the Blackhawks playoff hopes alive with an overtime goal against Vancouver that’ season.

In all he’s had three goals in 8 NHL games, according to the Blackhawks Web site.

Xavier Morin of Canton is a 2013 Westminster graduate, is headed to Hamilton College to play hockey and helps Smith at a summer hockey camp in Simsbury. 

“It’s kind of surreal to have (the cup) here,” Morin said. “It’s nice to see a home-grown boy get all the way there and win it.”

In typical Smith fashion, the player called the school and asked for permission to bring the cup,  Joncas said.

In his public remarks Joncas said Smith was a well-rounded student, participating in music, government and much more while at Westminster.

In brief remarks at the school, Smith spent most of the time thanking parents, former coaches, school administrators and others.

“One of the mysterious things about my career is that from an early age I’ve been surrounded by people, hardworking wholesome people who had taken a personal interest not only developing me as a hockey player but more importantly as a person.”