Next stop: Europe
Former P.E.I. Rocket Ben Duffy signs with pro team in Italy.
Mr. Rocket is going to Italy. Ben Duffy, the P.E.I. Rocket’s all-time leading scorer, has signed a one-year deal with the WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan for the upcoming season.
“I’ve been told for a long time that my game, the way I play, suits the European style,” Duffy said Tuesday. “I have a lot of expectations for myself to go over there and be a top scorer on the team and in the league.”
The 25-year-old Lower Sackville, N.S., native played five seasons with the Rocket from 2008-09 to 2012-13. He had 39 goals and 71 assists for 110 points in 68 games to lead the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in scoring during his final season. He didn’t miss a game during his final four seasons in the red, white and blue. Duffy played 21 games between Hamilton (AHL) and Wheeling (ECHL) his first season out of junior before turning his attention to university. He played two and a half seasons with the Saint Mary’s Huskies before completing his commerce degree earlier this year and playing seven games with Wichita (ECHL) to end the season.
Duffy said balancing university studies and hockey is a lot of work, but he is glad to have his degree and is looking forward to the next step in his hockey career.
“I knew the time would come if I still worked hard in university, (the Atlantic University Sport is) an awesome league, that I would still have opportunities,” he said. “I’m fully ready to take that step professionally and really excited to get over to Italy.”
Duffy’s agent lives in Europe and had connections with the Italian team. They worked out the contract and Duffy will be heading to Italy in early to midAugust.
“I’ve never been to Europe, so it’s obviously a life opportunity to get to play over there,” he said. “Most importantly, the reason I am going over is because I think (with) the way they play and the style of game, I can be successful and I can help the team out a lot.”