A thud echoed across the rink as Coppell High School sophomore Ben Chon hit the ice once again. 

At the time, he wasn’t actually hurt. 

He was just curious. 

“He would fall and pretend to be injured just to see what would happen,” his brother, Johnny Chon, said. “Just to get the coach to come out.”

Those days of tumbles did not last long. Years later, that same boy is an alternate captain for the 16U Dallas Stars Elite AAA team, one of the most prestigious youth hockey programs in the nation. Today, Chon is known less for his reactions and more for his absolute control.

At school, this side of Chon’s life is almost invisible. He does not walk into class talking about tournaments or travel, and most would not know what he does outside of school unless someone else mentioned it.

“Nobody really knew what he was doing outside of school,” Money Matters teacher Marie Masterbroek said. “He’s incredibly humble about it.”

When asked to describe himself, Chon keeps it simple.

“I play hockey and I’m from California,” Chon said.

Though he moved to Texas two years ago, his journey on the ice began much earlier, fueled by a desire to follow in his older brother’s footsteps.

“My brother played, so I just started too,” Chon said. “I wanted to be like him.” 

From there, the progression was steady. He began skating as a young child, moved through house leagues and travel teams, and eventually reached a level where the demands of the sport became more serious.

“I just always loved it,” Chon said. “I knew I was meant to be playing it.”

As his commitment grew, so did the tradeoffs. Other sports became less of a priority, and his time began to center around school and hockey.

Most days followed a disciplined routine: school, home, practice and dryland training. 

“It was just a given,” Chon said. “It’s something I liked to do, not something I was forced to do.”

The balance looks different once he steps onto the ice. The version of Chon who sits quietly in class shifts into someone active, constantly communicating and guiding plays.

“He’s very vocal,” teammate Jaxon Johnson said. “He’s always communicating and making sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to do.”

That approach becomes especially important in situations where the team has to adjust. During a stretch this past season, missing players forced the team to shift roles and expectations.

“It’s challenging when situations like that happen,” Chon said. “Just helping lead the team is what’s important in that moment.” 

It is not something he overcomplicates. The way he describes it is simple, but it carries through everything he does.

“Lead by example,” Chon said. “Set the tone.”

His brother has watched this firsthand. 

“He used to be loud and emotional,” Johnny said. “But as he’s matured, he’s calmed down. He’s much more reserved now.” 

While his outward intensity has softened into a quiet focus, his competitive drive only grew. He learned to filter out the noise. 

“You just focus on what you can control,” Chon said. “Stuff out of your control, you shouldn’t stress about.”

Looking ahead, Chon’s goal is clear: he wants to play in college. But for him, hockey has already given him more than just a path to a career. It has provided a structure for his life. 

“You meet great people, you learn about yourself,” Chon said. “It builds your character.”

The habits are there, whether they are noticed or not.

And over time, they have shaped the player he has become.

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