Aidan O’Brien has been selected to be Portsmouth’s recipient of the 2016 Hobey Baker High School Character Award.

Hobey Baker is held by many as the first US hockey star.  Each year the foundation that honors his name presents the Hobey Baker Memorial Award to the most outstanding collegiate hockey player in America.  In 2003 the Foundation established the High School Character Award to be presented to the player on each high school team that best embodies the Hobey Baker ideal that “character builds excellence.”  The award is not necessarily intended to go to the top player on the team, but rather to the individual who, in the opinion of the head coach, best displays the highest levels of integrity, positive attitude, coachability, outstanding sportsmanship, and community spirit.  Following its formal adoption by Rhode Island, teams began presenting the award in 2006.  Recipients of the award receive a personalized plaque from the Hobey Baker Foundation, and are publicly recognized during a Providence Bruins hockey game, and also by Rhode Island’s political leaders in a ceremony at the State House.

As a talented defenseman, Aidan has anchored the blue line for the Patriots for four seasons.  During his tenure he has been a positive influence on his teammates both on and off the ice.  Setting the mark for dedication and hard work during every practice session and game, the much improved success the squad is enjoying this season is due in no small part to his outstanding presence.  A true scholar athlete in every sense, Aidan is a not only is a member of the Honor Roll and the National Honor Society, but has, since last year, also been taking classes at Roger Williams University in addition to his regular work in high school.  After graduation this spring, he intends to continue his collegiate studies at Roger Williams in pursuit of a degree in architecture.  Civic minded, Aiden has volunteered time at the Portsmouth Fire Department station, assisted in coordination of a major blood drive last summer, and is developing his senior project around a rescue and transportation exercise for victims of a simulated automobile accident.

Aidan will be lauded, along with award recipients from all the other Rhode Island high school hockey teams, during an intermission at the Providence Bruins game with the Portland Pirates on Sunday, March 6, at 3:05 pm.  The awardees will also be recognized by Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo at a special event at the state capital building at a date and time yet to be announced

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Patriots’ hockey players, their families, friends, and fans are all encouraged to attend the P-Bruins game to show their support for Aidan as their team’s Hobey Baker recipient.  Game tickets are usually purchased as a group-buy coordinated by Coach Monahan.  The price of the tickets and final date for signing up to attend the game will be published on this web site as soon as they are announced.

For a list of all the former Portsmouth Patriots players to receive the Hobey Baker High School Character Award click on the page heading of the same name in the menu at the top of this site’s Home Page.  There you will also find links to information about Hobey Baker himself, the foundation that bears his name, and the awards it presents in his honor.

Congratulations to Aidan O’Brien on receiving this distinguished award.