Ben Pearson, a former Cambridge Winter Hawks Jr. B player, who took his first baby steps with a hockey stick in his hands has passed away suddenly at age 20.

Early Saturday morning, the 20-year-old Cambridge native died in hospital in London a week after the six-foot-two, 240-pound defenceman played his final game for the Norwich Merchants.

Steve Pearson, his father, believes Galt Arena, where Ben played for the Winter Hawks, would be a fitting place to hold his son’s funeral if it can be arranged. “The rink is where he’d be most comfortable,” he said.
“My son lived and died hockey.”

The entire team, staff, and operations of he Cambridge Winter Hawks has felt a huge loss of a great person and gives deepest sympathy to the Pearson family.