Patrick
Babin’s elite hockey mind was developed on the ice, but fortified on the
diamond and putting green.
The U16 AAA
Niagara North Stars defenceman is in the midst of his third season with the
club, supplying high-end awareness with the puck in his own zone, while also
creating scoring chances with his offensive prowess. He finished the 2023-24
Ontario Minor Hockey Association season with 36 points in 34 games.
Aside from his
work ethic contributing to success on skates, encouragement to play other
sports growing up has further shaped his game. Babin was a member of the
Niagara Falls Falcons of the Greater Niagara Baseball Association for many
years, most notably winning the championship in 2022 with the 14U AA team, and
applies some of his experiences on the field to his play in the rink.
“Definitely
mental toughness and being able to stay cool under pressure,” Babin says
following a recent practice at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre.
“I find (in) the big pressure games or high-end moments, whether it's going
into overtime or something, I never find myself squeezing the stick too tight.
I find myself calm.”
As a fixture on
the team’s power-play unit, in addition to logging heavy minutes on penalty
kill, the 16-year-old is counted on to produce in impactful moments. He is no
stranger to facing a challenge during tense moments and attributes his
heightened level of focus to “pitching a lot of the time.”
“I was put in
high leverage situations,” he adds, “and I think that helped me a lot.”
While baseball
helped Babin develop a stable mindset during the fast-paced play of a hockey
game, he’s also learned how to slow things down through golf.
During the
re-opening phase of the COVID-19 restrictions, the North Stars captain was able
to increase his time on the fairway. Through playing multiple rounds and
participating in a tournament at his local course, he learned many lessons from
an oft-frustrating sport.
“Probably
keeping my emotions in check,” says Babin. “Golf’s a tough sport to just stay
cool, calm, collected and not getting too high and low, because you’re out
there for like, four, five hours. One bad hole can't affect your whole
round.
“Same with
hockey,” he continues. “One bad play, you’ve just got to move on and focus on
the next time.”
The traits that
the Niagara Falls native has developed through the work, preparation
and participation in other competitive outlets has strengthened his most
valuable skill: hockey sense.
That’s why
North Stars head coach Jason Glenney relies on the young defenceman during
pivotal moments.
“Patrick has a
very high hockey IQ,” says Glenney. “He sees the ice extremely well,
distributes the puck extremely well at an elite level, and that’s really his
biggest asset that everybody talks about.”
Babin certainly
acknowledges the attributes everyone recognizes in him. The ability he’s
developed to balance his energy from time playing baseball and golf has
translated to hockey. As a result, it has become his greatest strength.
“I feel like I
really have a good understanding of the game, and I'm always knowing it in my
head,” says Babin. “I'm always confident with the decision I'm making, and
plays just kind of come to me (in) the flow of the game.”
With Babin
eligible for next month’s Ontario Hockey League draft, he has prioritized
hockey. His grasp on the bat and club has only deepened a passion for the feel
of his gloves and stick.
“Having that
break, you just set your mind aside from hockey, so then when the season rolls
around, you're like ‘Man, I can't wait to get back on the ice’ and then (you’re)
that much hungrier to play,” he says. “You just keep that love for the sport
always going on.”
About the author: Alex Mandarino is a student in the Sport Journalism post-grad program at Centennial College.