Ben Blood

Ben Blood (born March 15, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman. He was drafted in the fourth round, 120th overall, of the 2007 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators.

Playing career Blood played prep hockey at Shattuck-Saint Mary's for two seasons. He helped them win USA Hockey's Tier I 18 & Under National Championship in 2007.

Collegiate Blood played for the University of North Dakota for four seasons while majoring in recreation and tourism studies.

In his freshman season, Blood was named UND's Most Improved Player. He recorded one point that season, an assist, in a game against the Michigan Tech Huskies on March 13, 2009. Despite this, Blood was selected for the NCAA (WCHA) Third All-Star Team.

On April 4, 2012, Blood signed a two-year Entry Level Contract with the Ottawa Senators and an amateur tryout contract with the Senators American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators so Blood could finish the season with them.

Professional Blood began the 2012–13 season with the Binghamton Senators but after three games was reassigned to their ECHL affiliate, the Elmira Jackals. He was periodically moved between the AHL and ECHL until he agreed to terms with the Wheeling Nailers in October 2014. His agreement was short-lived, however, as on November 25, 2014, Blood left the Wheeling Nailers and joined Stjernen Hockey in the GET-ligaen league. The following season, Blood joined the Lahti Pelicans in the Liiga. While playing with the Pelicans, Blood received a two-game suspension due to an altercation with Siim Liivik and a three-game suspension for Cross-checking and injuring Anthony Guttig. On October 30, 2015, Blood signed a two-year contract extension with the Pelicans. On April 11, 2017, Blood left the Pelicans and joined Ässät.

In July 2018, Blood joined the Cardiff Devils of the Elite Ice Hockey League. However, he soon left on November 7, 2018, to re-join the Liiga league with Tappara on a two-year contract.

In May 2021, Blood agreed to terms with Graz 99ers on a one-year contract ahead of the 2021–22 season.

Following a return to Lahti Pelicans, Blood continued his journeyman career in Europe by agreeing to a one-year contract with German club, Löwen Frankfurt of the DEL, on May 26, 2023.

In February 2025, Blood signed a contract with Mestis team Jokerit for the 2024–25 season, which he would later win the Mestis championship with.

Personal life Blood's sisters, Erin and Molly, both play hockey. Molly played for the Minnesota Thoroughbreds and Erin played NCAA hockey for Boston College. His second cousin Danny Kristo was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2008 NHL entry draft.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2005–06 Shattuck-Saint Mary's MNHS 58 4 21 25 74 — — — — — 2006–07 Shattuck-Saint Mary's MNHS 63 11 25 36 144 — — — — — 2007–08 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 11 0 7 7 17 — — — — — 2007–08 Indiana Ice USHL 46 10 6 16 83 4 1 2 3 14 2008–09 U. of North Dakota WCHA 31 0 1 1 12 — — — — — 2009–10 U. of North Dakota WCHA 43 5 9 14 96 — — — — — 2010–11 U. of North Dakota WCHA 44 2 10 12 48 — — — — — 2011–12 U. of North Dakota WCHA 42 3 18 21 73 — — — — — 2011–12 Binghamton Senators AHL 4 0 0 0 17 — — — — — 2012–13 Elmira Jackals ECHL 32 1 1 2 23 6 0 1 1 9 2012–13 Binghamton Senators AHL 24 0 0 0 30 — — — — — 2013–14 Binghamton Senators AHL 54 0 3 3 61 — — — — — 2013–14 Elmira Jackals ECHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2014–15 Wheeling Nailers ECHL 13 0 2 2 34 — — — — — 2014–15 Stjernen Hockey GET 22 7 12 19 40 4 1 1 2 10 2015–16 Lahti Pelicans Liiga 32 1 7 8 160————— 2016–17 Lahti Pelicans Liiga 55 2 8 10 14650004 2017–18 Ässät Liiga57371020771010 2018–19 Cardiff Devils EIHL 12 3 4 7 31 — — — — — 2018–19 Tappara Liiga 37 4 14 18 42 11 0 0 0 12 2019–20 Tappara Liiga 56 2 5 7 22 – – – – – 2020–21 Tappara Liiga 35 3 6 9 34 7 0 1 1 10 2021–22 Graz99ers ICEHL 43 5 9 14 74 2 1 0 1 14 2022–23 Lahti Pelicans Liiga 32 0 5 5 39 18 4 1 5 41 2023–24 Löwen Frankfurt DEL 37 2 7 9 60 – – – – – 2023–24 Lahti Pelicans Liiga 12 1 1 2 37 9 0 0 0 14Liiga totals 316 16 53 69 687 57 5 2 7 81

Awards and honors Award Year Ref College WCHA All-Academic Team 2010, 2011, 2012 WCHA All-Tournament Team 2010 WCHA Third All-Star Team 2012