Cross Joining REDS 'Dream Come True'

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS, eight-time defending Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey champions, are adding hometown forward Ben Cross to their 2026 recruiting class.

The Fredericton-born Cross has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2026-2027 AUS season.

“For me, it’s a dream come true,” said Cross. “As a kid, I always idolized the hockey team and all the other student-athletes who were part of the REDS family. They were like superstars to me and I wanted to be just like them when I grew up.”

“We’re excited to have Ben join the team,” said REDS’ head coach Rob Hennigar. “He’s been doing our youth camps and hockey schools since he was a youngster, and to see it come full circle is special. His game as grown over the years and we think he’s just scratching the surface of what he can be.”

Cross joins the REDS after a junior career that saw him make stops in Rimouski, Saint John, and Bathurst.

Over the course of three Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League seasons, he saw action in 85 regular season games with the Oceanic and Sea Dogs, scoring 14 goals and 16 assists.

Cross spent the 2025-26 season with the Chaleur Lightning, of the Maritime Hockey League, where he averaged more than a point-and-a-half per game, scoring 42 goals and 36 assists in 51 regular season games.

“He’s a big body that can shoot and is a natural finisher,” said Coach Hennigar. “He can be a threat anywhere on the ice with his shot and nose for the net.”

Cross describes himself as a late bloomer and a team-first player who takes pride in doing whatever he can to help his team succeed.

He says his vision, his grit, and his scoring touch are his biggest strengths.

“I remember watching my first UNB game and being in awe of how fast it was,” said Cross. “I also have memories of Coach Hennigar teaching me power skating, and him pushing me to get better every session.”

Cross says he had other recruiting options, but that UNB was, really, the only option.

“To be part of the UNB hockey team was the goal from the start,” he said. “In my opinion, UNB has the best hockey program in Canada, and it is an honour to be part of that. UNB is about winning, and I love to win.”

“He’s worked incredibly hard for many years to get better and it’s great to see him become part of the program he grew up being a fan of,” said Hennigar.

Cross says his short-term goals include daily improvements on the road to becoming an impact player for the REDS. Longer-term, he says he wants to help bring more national championships to UNB.

Cross will study in the Faculty of Arts while attending UNB.

STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS

PHOTO: Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs