Ben Steele had proven his worth as a player before this year, having been named an All-State defenseman on multiple occasions. But the Red Eddies had big expectations this year, and Steele was one of the senior players called upon by head coach Craig Latuscha to help a team with depth, talent and experience fulfill those expectations.

“Obviously you expect a lot out of your seniors, specifically Ben Steele — whose been a varsity (player) for four years,” Latuscha said. “He’s put the team on his shoulders quite a few times this year, and he’s done that for the past four years.”

From the blue line, Steele was able to tally a Class A-leading 27 assists, and led the Red Eddies with 30 points.

“That was my goal this season, become a better player on the ice, and I think that shows,” Steele said. “I’m willing to pass the puck, let my teammates get the goals and share the points.”

Not all of those assists came from the blue line, though. Steele sometimes found himself starting games at forward, depending on who the Red Eddies were playing, and how they were playing.

“We were looking to change some things up during the season, when we were losing, and we thought maybe a change would be nice,” Steele said of the move. “Just get the guys energized and switch the lines up a little bit.”

“He’s very versatile. He’s very competitive. He’s willing to play any position he wants,” Latuscha said. “He’s a pretty loyal kid. He wants the team to win, and he’ll do anything it takes for us to win a hockey game.”

“I don’t mind playing anywhere. If a coach is telling me to play anywhere, I’m down for it,” Steele added.

While the Red Eddies won more games than they lost (they went 10-8 this year, good for third place in Class A North), the losses were at times magnified. They were supposed to be more competitive against the top teams. But two blowout losses to rival Lewiston (10-0 and 10-2), a 5-0 shutout against Falmouth, and a deflating 4-1 loss in the second game against crosstown rival St. Dom’s stung.

“It’s been tough. Our expectations for this season obviously were high,” Steele said. “Losing a game, no one really likes losing, but we always have to keep that positive mindset that tomorrow we can go work hard at practice and the next game we’re going to become better. Every game we got to improve and improve.”

Steele said the two losses to the Blue Devils were “very” humbling. It was in the dressing room after the most demoralizing defeats that Steele’s leadership was tested the most. The player that Latuscha said gets “fired up” instead had to keep his head up, and make sure his younger teammates did the same.

“At first it wasn’t that easy, but I had some great leaders above me when I was younger, and they really showed me what a true leader is,” Steele said of becoming a leader. “And having the coaches around me, they’re teaching me how to be a man. Now that I’m older, it’s really easy that I can show the younger players what they’re supposed to be like and how they’re supposed to act.”

Steele said it “means a lot” to be a captain for EL, especially in a year that has brought the Red Eddies back into the playoff contender picture.

It was games like an early January victory over the Saints that Steele realized that EL could be mentioned in the same breath as its fellow Norway Savings Bank Arena tenant.

“We haven’t beaten them in a really long time,” Steele said. “For us to beat a top team like that, it showed us that we can play to that level. It showed our potential. I was really happy. That was one of our goals.”

Steele helped the Red Eddies achieve that goal, as well as the goal to earn a home playoff game, which they did by clinching the No. 3 seed.

In doing so, and by factoring in his previous three years on the team, Steele was able to cross off a personal goal of his, by being named a semifinalist for the Travis Roy Award.

“That’s an honor,” Steele said.

Latuscha said Steele is deserving for “everything he brings to our team and our family, our hockey family. This kid is a true player. I’ve been coaching high school hockey for 14 years and he’s one of the best defensemen, if not best players, I’ve ever had.”

Steele’s career at Edward Little is coming to its final games. It could come as early as Tuesday night, when the Red Eddies host Cony/Hall-Dale/Monmouth in the quarterfinals. Or, hopefully for Steele, it could come in less than two weeks at the Class A state championship.

Then, according to Steele, his career will hopefully continue in college. He plans on playing for Seacoast College Prep in Exeter, N.H., with the hopes of catching on with a college program after that.

That stuff after high school is pushed back in his mind, however. He’s still got some games left in his high school career.

“We’re really excited. We feel really great about this, and we’re ready to go deep into the playoffs, and hopefully win states,” Steele said. “We know what it feels to lose. And we don’t want feel that again. So we’re ready to put it all on the line and willing to do whatever it takes to win.”

Steele will no doubt be doing whatever he can to make sure his high school career lasts as long as possible.

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