Puck Perseverance: A Ben Kraws Odyssey

 

(Credit: Idaho Steelheads) 

Through song lyrics and rhythm, we can often find pieces of familiarity in them from our own personal travels and stories. In their 1977 smash hit, Steve Miller Band’s “Jet Airliner” relays the story of the main protagonist traveling constantly by means of a jet airliner in pursuit of their dreams.

In some instances, music can strangely mirror reality itself and the story of “Jet Airliner” can accurately paint the story of Idaho Steelheads goaltender Ben Kraws as he fights to continue his dream to find himself on an NHL roster.

The 24 year-old already has quite the air miles to his name bouncing all over the continental United State from sea to shining sea. After a solid season for the Sioux City Musketeers, the then-18-year-old Kraws found himself at Miami University of Ohio, the first of three stops in his collegiate career.

Needing a change of scenery after winning a single game in his two seasons in Oxford, Ohio, Kraws travelled west to Tempe, Arizona, transferring to Arizona State for two seasons.

“Kraw Daddy” was named as the starting goaltender for the Sun Devils for the 2020-21 season. In 27 games, Kraws had one of the best single seasons in net in Sun Devil hockey history, posting a record of 12-11 with 689 saves for .907 save percentage and a 2.97 goals against average.

Despite his dominant season in net, Kraws found himself relegated to the backup goaltender role in his senior season, playing sparingly but posting the first shutout of his college career. In his last season of eligibility, Kraws found his way to upstate New York for his final act.

In his lone season for St. Lawrence University, Kraws was named as a Hobey Baker candidate, cultivating the winningest season of his career and starting every single game for the Saints. He posted a record of 14-17-6 for a .919 save percentage and a 2.49 goals against average.

Helping St. Lawrence on their thrilling run in the ECAC Hockey Championships, Kraws recorded his second shutout of the season versus No. 6 Quinnipiac in semifinals before falling to Cornell in the championship game. Two days later, the Dallas Stars signed Kraws to an one-year entry-level contract.

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Despite his slender 6’5” 195 pound frame and a soft spoken nature off the ice, when he suits up in his equipment, the dynamic changes to an opposing force. Regardless of his physical stature, you can’t miss Kraws’ lowrider candy painted mask when he comes onto the ice.

“I kind of let the painter kind of do her thing,” Kraws said. “I kind of give her my general idea of what I want, and then she goes to town on it.”

Just five days after signing his first professional contract, Kraws made his professional debut on March 30, 2024 versus the Iowa Wild. Claiming victory, Kraws saved 26 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Wild. He would finish the regular season going 2-2 in the regular season and make two brief appearances in the Stars playoff series versus Milwaukee.

Playing in his first real season in the professional ranks, Kraws has spent most of his time down in the ECHL adjusting to the speed of the higher level of hockey.

“They're older players, more experienced and learning from them every day. So it's been fun to be around it so far,” Kraws said about the speed difference in pro hockey. “Gaining that experience has been huge so far, just to play games and kind of get that development under my belt.”

Rotating starts in a packed goalie line up with Bryan Thomson and Tomas Sholl, Kraws has carved out a formidable season, getting the starting nod on most nights. In his 16 starts, Kraws has compiled a record 10-3-3 with a .900 save percentage.

With quality performances up in Boise, Kraws has added 4,119 miles to his name just this season alone –- getting called up to the AHL three times this season. Despite the constant flights back and forth from Idaho to Texas, Kraws is unbothered, with his only goal on his mind to make the team better.

“I mean, just wherever I go, I try to help the team win. Idaho, Texas or Dallas, no matter where I play, I just try to help the team win,” Kraws said.

Kraws exhibits what teams want and need in a netminder: consistent performance on the ice and a culture builder in the locker room and in the facility. There is no doubt he has earned his flowers in both Texas and Idaho.

“He’s a true professional. He gets to the rink before anybody. He's just the steady presence in that,” Steelheads coach Everett Sheen raved about his goaltender. “He's a really driven kid. Looks after himself, looks after his body, or whatever he puts in his body. I've never seen a first year pro prepare so well, it's really impressive.”

The Dallas Stars have quantity and quality goaltending in its farm system with Hellberg and Porier in Texas. With Kraws’ one-year deal set to expire at the end of this season, it will be hard to let him walk, especially if he has a solid back half of the season in the ECHL.

If not, he’ll be somewhere in North America on a jet airliner en route to his next opportunity, something he’s done many times before.

“You know you got to go through hell, before you get to Heaven.” - Steve Miller Band, 1977