Ben Lovejoy is a retired professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on February 20, 1984, in Concord, New Hampshire, and grew up in New Hampshire, where he began playing hockey at a young age.
Lovejoy played college hockey at Dartmouth College, where he was a standout player and earned All-Ivy League honors in his senior year. After college, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007 and spent the next few years playing in the minor leagues before making his NHL debut in 2008.
Over the course of his NHL career, Lovejoy played for several teams, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils, and Dallas Stars. He was known for his physical play, shot-blocking ability, and leadership on and off the ice.
Lovejoy's most successful season came in 2015-16 when he helped lead the Penguins to a Stanley Cup championship. He played a key role in the team's playoff run, scoring two goals and adding four assists in 24 games while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game.
In addition to his success on the ice, Lovejoy was also known for his charitable work off the ice. He was a frequent volunteer with the Penguins' community outreach programs and was a finalist for the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2018, which recognizes players who demonstrate leadership on and off the ice and make significant humanitarian contributions to their communities.
Lovejoy announced his retirement from professional hockey in February 2020, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests. He finished his NHL career with 544 games played, 20 goals, and 99 assists.
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