Hard work pays off for youngest Raider Kerr

Ben Kerr had confidence in himself and a simple plan to execute. This week, it paid off with a roster spot on the Napanee Raiders.

Coming out of Napanee minor hockey, Kerr may have been considered a long shot to earn the team’s lone underage spot for a player in his 16-year-old year, but he didn’t let himself be deterred.

“It was ‘Just outwork everybody,’” he recalled. “I was going to work hard and I felt that I had enough talent it would eventually pay off. It feels pretty good now.”

Skate after skate, Kerr made head coach Ben Hagerman and his staff take notice. By the time a preseason tournament rolled around in Frankford last weekend, he was taking reps with veteran offensive players like Andrew Carr and Trent Williams, or Spencer Cranley and Tanner Hawkins. He didn’t back down and he found himself in the right places more often than not.

“There’s always that guy who comes to training camp with no promises and finds a way to make the club. This year it was Ben Kerr,” said Hagerman. “Ben has an elite hockey brain and, since last spring, his skating has improved immensely. We are excited to work with Ben and help him develop his game even further.”

The right-shot forward made an impact on a strong Napanee U18 Stars squad last year, notching close to a point a game with 23 goals and 38 assists in 61 contests. He says he’s driven first by team success.

“I’m a hard-working individual who does what it takes to win – all I wanted to do while playing hockey is win,” said Kerr. “You’ll get 100 per cent from me every game and practice. I’ll score goals, block shots, and fight, whatever it takes.”

The NDSS student comes by it naturally as he’s been playing since age 2. 

“It’s been my life ever since. I’m a Napanee boy through and through. Since my dad (Dave Kerr) coached when I was little, playing for the Raiders is something I have wanted to do.”

This summer, fans may have also noticed Kerr helping the Softball Napanee Express to an Under-17 national fast pitch championship. He’s also an avid volunteer coach for several local organizations.

Kerr and his teammates line up for the Raiders season opener Friday, Sept. 12 against the Lennox and Addington County-rival Amherstview Jets. The game starts at 7:30 p.m..