8th defenseman Ben Blood(19) has played successfully in Liiga pretty much since leaving North American pro hockey 13 ECHL games into the 2013/2014 season with Wheeling Nailers.
He initially left for a deal with Stjernen Hockey scoring a career best 7 goals and 12 assists in just 22 GET-ligaen games.
From there, he got noticed by Liiga and apart from a 12 EIHL game furlough with Cardiff Devils, has played for the last 5 seasons in the league.
The very large blue liner put up a new high 14 assists in 2018/2019 with Tappara and re-signs to return.
At 30-years old, he looks to have made home in Finland’s top hockey.
Ben Blood (44)
Ottawa Senators‘ 4th round pick in the 2007 draft (#120 overall), rookie defenseman Ben Blood(44) has been making the one hour drive between affiliates Binghamton Senators and Elmira Jackals more times than he even thought possible in the first two months of the season, and more trips are likely on the horizon for his first year pro.
Since the start of the 2012/2013 season he has been reassigned and recalled 8 times playing 17 games in the ECHL and 4 in the AHL scoring no points yet in either league.
He also skated 4 games with the Baby Sens last season when his college career wrapped up.
His intimidating 6’3″ 232 lbs. presence and ability to make the opponents’ players suffer in the attacking zone, combined with good on ice accountability makes him a worthy asset for either squad.
The 23-year old signed a 2-year entry level deal that keeps him in the prospect pipeline through next season.
If he can add some offensive upside as he did in his college career, he’ll be one big, well-rounded skater for either Sens‘ team.
