Ben Freeman, the 6’5” center out of Falmouth, Maine, is heading overseas to continue his professional hockey journey. After four seasons in the ECHL—most recently serving as captain of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits—Freeman has signed with the Frederikshavn White Hawks of Denmark’s Metal Ligaen.
A Steady Climb Through the Ranks
Freeman first made his mark at the University of Connecticut (2016–2020), where he led the Huskies in scoring his senior year with 28 points in 33 games and earned the Len Ceglarski Award for Sportsmanship in Hockey East. He transitioned to the pro game in 2020–21 with short stints in the ECHL (Wheeling Nailers) and SPHL (Pensacola Ice Flyers), collecting nine points in 15 SPHL regular season games and three assists in appearances playoff appearances.
From 2021 onward, Freeman found his home in Greenville:
- 2021–22: 32 points (10G, 22A) in 62 games, plus six playoff points in six games.
- 2022–23: Matched his season total again with 32 points in 65 games, adding four goals in the playoffs.
- 2023–24: Serving as team captain, Freeman recorded 34 points in 70 games.
- 2024–25: Despite playing only 36 games, he continued to wear the “C” and tallied 11 points.
Across 233 regular-season ECHL games with Greenville, Freeman posted 109 points, with an additional 16 points in 22 playoff contests—highlighting his ability to contribute in both leadership and production roles.
A New Chapter in Denmark
Freeman now joins the Frederikshavn White Hawks, a club competing in Metal Ligaen, Denmark’s top professional hockey league. Based in northern Denmark, the White Hawks have a proud history, with Danish championship titles in 1989 and 2000. They play out of Scanel Hockey Arena, a 4,000-seat venue known for its passionate fanbase.
The White Hawks made notable strides in the 2024–25 Metal Ligaen season, finishing sixth in the regular season with 71 points from 19 wins, 20 losses, five overtime wins, and four overtime losses. They scored 133 goals while allowing 144—an overall improvement from their 2023–24 campaign, where they placed ninth with just 38 points and missed the playoffs.
Looking to continue their upward trajectory, the White Hawks are adding proven experience to the lineup. Ben Freeman’s size, two-way play, and leadership—honed through years in the ECHL—make him a valuable addition as the team pushes toward deeper postseason success.
What’s Next
For Freeman, this marks his first foray into European hockey—and a chance to bring his steady, hard-earned game to a new ice surface. For Frederikshavn, it’s a key offseason addition as they look to reload for the 2025–26 campaign.
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