Senior and Ice Hockey Captain Ben Barnhill has been nominated for December’s Athlete of the Month! Barnhill plays Ice Hockey for Central and has been playing for twelve years.
Barnhill has played for Central all four years of high school. “My favorite part [of hockey] is having a good time with my teammates and bonding,” Barnhill said. So far this season, Barnhill has made sixteen goals and assisted twelve. Barnhill explains that his motivation to play drives from his need to succeed. “I want to be a role model and…get 100 goals by the end of the season,” Barnhill said.
West Morris Central Ice Hockey (8-5-1) just fell under new leadership of Coach Dave Hansen. Hansen has coached at Madison, Mount Olive, and Princeton before coming to coach at Central. The squad has faced some particularly tough teams this year resulting in some new lines. Barnhill explained that their top two toughest teams they play are Mendham and Whippany Park.
Barnhill loves having a good time with his teammates and bonding with them through traditions like the White Elephant gift exchange at their annual Christmas party. Barnhill does not only participate in team traditions but his own as well, which motivates him to succeed on the ice. “Before games I always re tape my stick every game and write the amount of goals left I need till 100 on the back,” Barnhill explained.
Lastly, Barnhill would tell freshmen looking for advice to “be confident.” Barnhill said that his biggest role model is his dad, who he looks up to in order to play his best. Barnhill is unsure of where he will attend college at the moment but he would like to play ice hockey wherever he ends up.
