Page 46 - Greet HWY 68 Loop 06.25

SPORTS & ATHLETICS

ICE HOCKEY

IN THE LOOP

BY MIKE DOVE,
CORRAL DE TIERRA

I hope you are as surprised as I was
to hear that one of the best young ICE
HOCKEY players in the United States
lives in the Loop. Yes, ICE HOCKEY IN
THE LOOP. Pretty amazing. Ben Dickson,
who is graduating from Salinas High
this year, is deciding whether to go to
the University of Colorado in Boulder
or play hockey at one of many amateur
teams back East that are actively
recruiting him. How does one start It starts with his Last month, the team travelled that besides the uniform equipment Mike is our resident
playing Ice Hockey in the Loop? It’s a parents, Pete to youth nationals in Utica, New and skates, “a good hockey stick costs running expert.
very interesting story. York, to play elite hockey teams from $400, and they break.” He goes through Having run for years,
It starts with his parents, Pete and Jennifer, traditional hockey states like Minnesota, about 10 a year. Mike is an integral
and Jennifer, taking him to San Jose taking him to Connecticut, and New York. They made With Ben’s dedication, hard work, component in many
Sharks games when he was very young. it to the quarterfinals, a great showing talent, and enthusiasm for the game, runners’ groups and
Coincidentally, an avid ice hockey fan, San Jose Sharks for a California team. I’m sure there will be many more “hat has participated on several running event
one of their neighbors on San Benancio games when he If you live in the Loop and want tricks” for him in hockey and life. committees. He has completed numerous
Road, had some hockey sticks lying to start your child playing Ice Hockey, marathons, including our own Big Sur
around and let young Ben, age 6, start was very young. be aware of the commute. Also, I Are you or someone you know passionate about athletics and International Marathon. Mike lives in
sports? Share that story! Contact Laurie.Martin@n2co.com
playing street hockey with his boys. He asked about the cost, and Ben said or phone 272-4620. Corral de Tierra with his wife, Julie.
developed an immediate passion for the
game. But it’s still a long way from street
hockey to ice hockey. Where is the ice?
Where is the Zamboni? In his first competitive season, when He also works at Corral de Tierra CC
The next stop is Water City in he was 14, he started playing for the and plays golf in whatever spare time
Marina. The facility, which closed five Golden State Elite Eagles. A team he still he might have. His ice hockey slap shot
years ago, had a roller hockey league plays for. As far as we know there are helps his golf game.
for kids 8 to 13. Ben excelled and even no other youth ice hockey players in This year, with Ben as team captain,
stayed to play in the adult league after Monterey County. He has continued his his team won the state championships,
the youth games were over. He played commute and dedication to the sport by which granted them a spot to represent
Toro Baseball for a while, but both Ben heading up to ice in San Jose and San California in The USA Hockey National
and Pete say, “Baseball would be a great Francisco and back almost daily for the Championships. In the final game of the
sport if it was hockey!” When he was last several years. State Championships, Ben had a “hat
13, and during COVID, his parents took Ben maintains a 4.3 GPA with AP trick” (for non-hockey fans, that’s three
him up to San Jose six days a week. classes even though he drives up to goals in one game). He was the MVP
Finally, on the ice, he put on skates and San Francisco after school and doesn’t in the league. Ben finished the season
took lessons from one of the best in the return until midnight most nights. On ranked the top scorer in the state, for the
business, the Sharks’ own skating coach. weekends, he is on the road at 3:30 AM second year in a row, out of all 18 and
He thrived again. for a day full of Hockey in the Bay Area. under players.

46 June 2025 Greet HWY 68 Loop 47