SU’s men’s American Club Hockey Association team will honor the memory of fallen teammate Eric Bennett this semester, beginning with several ceremonies at their home games Friday at the Reisterstown Sportsplex. (Map below the story.)
The M3 game against Loyola starts at 5 p.m. with a break for the ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. After, the M2 game versus James Madison will begin, at approximately 8 p.m. Both of those games are also at the Reisterstown Sportsplex.
The team will retire Bennett’s jersey number, something that has never been done in the club program’s history. Further, his mother, Erica Bennett, will take part in one of two ceremonial puck drops. The team will also raise a banner in honor of Bennett and players will wear bracelets and patches in his honor.
Other memorial games are set for Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. (M2 Senior Night versus East Carolina) and Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. (M3 Senior Night versus Tennessee).
Bennett, who played forward for the Mustangs, died tragically this summer in an automobile accident in Baltimore County, Maryland. He was 21 years old.
Coach Mike Urgo said fans interested in these events should follow the team’s social media accounts to stay updated regarding other events. He also said the team is hoping to establish future events that can be held annually.
Fellow forward Sean Blahut said Bennett will be remembered as more than just a Stevenson ACHA men’s hockey player.
“(Bennett) always knew how to have fun on and off the ice,” Blahut said. “Whether we were down a couple goals and guys were losing hope, or we had an off weekend and guys didn’t know what to do, Eric always seemed to have an answer on how to have a fun time.”
