Profile: Ben Lovejoy

Zach Boslett | Penguin Prospects

Sep 14, 11:07 PM | Hype this story!

Biography
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 215 lbs
Birthday: 2/20/1984
Hometown: Concord, New Hampshire
Draft: Undrafted
Acquired: Signed by Pittsburgh to a NHL contract July 7, 2008
Player Type: Balanced Defensemen
NHL Comparable: Toni Lydman
 
Career Projection
Ben Lovejoy started his hockey career at Boston College in 2002-2003, then transfered to Dartmouth.  In the midst, he lost a year of development, but was still able to finish his college career with 60 points in 118 games. He signed an amateur tryout contract with the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) in 2006 and then signed a free agent deal with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) in 2007.  After a successful season that saw him lead the team in plus/minus, Lovejoy’s play earned him his first NHL contract in 2008.  Proving his signing was no mistake, the defenseman finished first in the AHL in plus/minus with a plus-42 rating and made the AHL All Star Game during the 2008-09 season. Lovejoy, a jack of all trades, but master of none, projects to be a bottom pairing defensemen in the NHL and could make his debut as early as the 2009-10 season.
 
Strengths
Has good size…Rarely caught out of position…Quick on his skates, forward, backwards and laterally…Good with the puck on his stick…Possesses a quick, hard shot…Has strong passing skills…Active stick in the passing and shooting lanes…Clears his crease relatively well…Composed on the ice and is a natural leader.
 
Weaknesses
Doens’t play as physical as a defender his size should…Needs to develop his shooting accuracy…Lacks confidence with the puck in the offensive zone…Struggles with bigger forwards on the forecheck.
 
Achievements/Awards
Named to the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic and played for Team Planet USA
2nd Team AHL All Star Team award and won Most Valuable Defensemen

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