Binder Nord works for what he gets

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/06/2023 (1040 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When Ben Binder Nord wasn’t taken in the 2022 Western Hockey League draft, he had a couple of choices.

He could sulk, or he could work harder. The decision he made ultimately led to the Brandon Wheat Kings listing him last fall after training camp.

“I was out with an injury but no excuses I guess,” Binder Nord said of the draft. “I used it as motivation. I work out at Crash (Conditioning in Calgary) in the summer and I’m there every day putting in the work. I didn’t get drafted but I was given an opportunity to come to Brandon so I worked super hard in the summer.

“Nothing is given. I have to earn it so I came out not sure what to expect, and thought I would just be there for rookie camp. I worked my hardest, played my game, and they saw something in me and invited me out to main camp.

“I kept going and then got listed, which I’m really proud of.”

Brandon director of player personnel Chris Moulton said the team listed Binder Nord after he was the surprise of last year’s rookie and main camp. Binder Nord ultimately made it an easy decision for them.

“Out of camp, he was the only kid we listed,” Moulton said. “We brought him in as an invite to rookie camp and he went all the way through rookie camp and then to main camp and did very well. We listed him then and watched him all winter.”

The 16-year-old forward from Calgary still remembers that call from Moulton.

“That was awesome,” Binder Nord said. “That really brought me joy. It sucks not getting drafted but working for it almost feels better.”

The six-foot, 154-pound forward has spent the last three seasons at the Edge School in Calgary. After scoring 10 goals and adding eight assists in 28 games in his major season at the U15 level — and adding three points in seven games with the U17 team — Binder Nord went undrafted.

Last season, his first at the U17 prep level, he contributed 11 goals, 15 assists and 42 penalty minutes in 28 games.

“I was proud of it,” Binder Nord said of his season. “It was a good group of guys and we did well. We finished pretty high and I was doing what I could on my team in my role. I scored quite a few goals and had a few assists. That’s all I can ask for. I’ll keep it going for next year.”

Not surprisingly based on his work ethic, Binder Nord’s game is all about performing the difficult tasks that some players shy away from on the ice. He revels in being hard to play against.

“My game is being a power forward, winning draws, strong in my zone, a shutdown player, getting pucks deep and making chances for other guys,” Binder Nord said. “I get on the puck, track it hard, outcompete guys — it’s my puck — and then get it back and outwork guys. That’s my role.”

He’s working on getting stronger and even more physical, plus his shooting so that he can bury more of his opportunities. He also wants to be quicker.

“Every aspect,” Binder Nord said. “I can keep getting better and keep pushing it.”

He began skating around age four, and played a lot of mini sticks with his brother. When he entered organized hockey, he rotated between defence and forward.

“I’ve always loved skating since I was younger and still love the game and want to be out on the ice as much as I can,” Binder Nord said. “I just want to keep getting better every day.”

As he got older, he was put into the power forward position and found a role there. While it’s a lot of work, he said his time at the rink makes it worthwhile.

“I love the community and being around new guys and playing for each other, battling, the compete, the physicality,” Binder Nord said. “I love everything about it. It’s just an awesome game. I don’t know what I would do without it, to be honest.”

The youngster, whose parents are father Chris and mother Sara, used to play basketball, football and soccer but they never appealed to him in the same way. The only other sport he still plays is soccer at school.

Binder Nord’s brother Sam plays competitive basketball.

Ben instead went to Calgary Hitmen games growing up, and developed an appreciation for the WHL and what it offers.

“I really value hockey and I also value my academics,” Binder Nord said. “I want to use junior hockey to go pro but honestly just keeping working on and off the ice and doing good in school and keep getting better. It would be awesome. That’s my dream as a kid, to play junior.

“It’s an awesome town here in Brandon, and that would be the dream. It’s a great community.”

So how will he make that happen? For a kid who didn’t get drafted, it’s a simple equation.

“I’ll just keep working and earning my spot here,” Binder Nord said. “That’s all I can do.”

» Profiles of Brandon’s most recent draft picks and listed players will continue in upcoming editions of The Brandon Sun.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @PerryBergson