Ben LeFranc sported a massive grin when asked about his Canadian Sport School Hockey League Most Sportsmanlike Award.
LeFranc, 13, was nervous as he went up to get his award recognizing the fact he spent just six minutes in the box during the 30-game season in his rookie year in the Bantam Prep Division.
“Yeah, that’s Benny. He doesn’t take very many penalties. If he does, it’s almost by accident,” said OHA Bantam Prep coach Kip Noble. “Doesn’t say much. Very quiet young man and just goes about his business. He’s not dirty, but he competes hard and has a big heart.”
Earning that award was part of a season he described as “super fun.”
“I learned a lot. I improved a lot. I learned to play more physical and to play with more speed,” said LeFranc. “You always need to have a good game and be consistent.”
LeFranc’s confidence grew as the season progressed. The OHA experience made him work hard not only on the ice, but in the gym. Coming in, he was five-foot-three, 120 pounds. Now he’s two inches taller and bulked up to 140 pounds. After winning nine games during the season, the OHA lost its three playoff games, but LeFranc soaked in the speed and physicality. He made a point to keep his feet moving and never taking a shift off.
“The first two games I think I played pretty well. I had a couple of bad turnovers,” he said.
In their final game on March 18 against Rink Hockey Academy Nationals, he played through the pain of blocking a shot that hit his foot.
“He played very well. For a smaller D, he skates very well,” said Noble. “He uses his body to protect the puck. He’s a very, very smart player. As a first-year player, he has done some really good things. He has improved a lot.”
Noble said LeFranc’s skating ability and smarts played a big part in him earning the Most Sportsmanlike Award. LeFranc played physically when needed, but that wasn’t what Noble wanted most from him. Noble made sure LeFranc knew he didn’t need him running around trying to hit opponents. It was about staying in the play and having a good stick on the puck.
“He has really come a long way from September,” said Noble, adding that LeFranc got better with his defensive coverage.
Playing against bigger competition and very good skaters, Noble said LeFranc overcame that adversity and timidness to become a solid blueliner.
“If he continues to do what he’s going to do, he’s going to become a very dangerous player,” said Noble.
Award winners
The OHA had other individual award winners including Lucas Gaudet of OHA Red on the Midget Prep All-Academic team and Summerland’s Tristan Hewitt from OHA White. On the Midget Varsity All-Academic Team was Alex Krause. In the Elite 15s division it was Kelowna’s Cole Schwebius, from the Bantam Prep Division Benn Krivoshen and from the Bantam Varsity Division, Penticton’s Josh Finer. OHA Midget Prep Red’s Adam Evanoff was named the Top Goaltender and Logan Furkalo earned Most Sportsmanlike in the Midget Varsity Division.