A Ranger remembers
Posted Oct 8, 2010 03:39:53 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Brandon Maxwell faced 84 shots over two games in the Rangers net last weekend. But as busy as he was, the real challenge facing Maxwell was coping with the loss of a close friend.
Ben Pearson of Cambridge died suddenly last week. The 20-year old defenseman for the Norwich Merchants had lived his entire life with an undiagnosed liver condition. Undiagnosed until several weeks ago, anyway, but by then it was too late.
During his weeklong stay at a London hospital, Maxwell was one of his regular visitors. The Rangers netminder described Ben as his “best friend.”
“We worked out in the summertime a bit and he shot on me while I was recovering from my hip injury (last season),” says Maxwell, as he reminisced about his friend. “He was always there to help out and I guess the saying is true, only the good die young. He was an incredible guy.”
Ben was one year Brandon’s senior and their on-ice paths crossed in high school, but only during practice. Ben played on a team of older students.
But Maxwell remembers playing Jr. B as a 13-year old and having Ben for a teammate, when their friendship was really forged. They would stay in touch over the years, especially in the off-season when it came time to train.
And once Maxwell joined the Rangers, Ben was never far from the rink.
“He came to a lot of playoff games last year and I’d go watch him play for the Winter Hawks when he was there,” Maxwell remembers.
What will Maxwell miss the most? Tough call.
“Just calling him up for fishing, golfing, a movie. He’d always make time to do something. Any memory with him, just spending any of that time with him, he was a great guy.”
Maxwell was among the mourners at funeral services for Ben yesterday. And while the memories are fresh in his mind, the 19-year old netminder knows there’s a tall task ahead.
The Rangers play three games in four days, starting tonight at home to Erie.
The pre-game starts at 7:00 on 570 News.
