Cathedral prep alumni Benjamin Eliason continues to make strong impacts. Eliason graduated in 2015 and left behind a lasting legacy in the school’s hockey program. During his time at Prep, his production on the ice made him one of the best players in school history. He is currently ranked #2 on the hockey team’s all-time scoring list, a major accomplishment that reflects his hard work and dedication on the ice and in the classroom.

Eliason chose to attend Prep because he wanted a school that would help him succeed in the classroom and give him the best opportunity to play a high level sport.

“I attended Prep because I thought it was the best school in Erie to get an education and play sports at the same time,” he said.

This decision helped shape his academic and athletic future.

Looking back, Eliason thought Prep prepared him well for life after graduation.

“Prep gave me a great education and high expectations,” he said. “It gave me a good idea of what I wanted to do.”

The lessons he learned in high school gave him the confidence to move forward and chase his goals.

When asked to describe his days at Prep in one sentence, he simply said, “the time of my life.”

His years at Cathedral Prep are days he will never forget: hanging out with friends, making new memories, and learning important lessons that still influence him today.

Sports played a major role in his high school experience and continue to impact his life. H

“It helped me meet a lot of new people I might’ve not met otherwise,” he said. “I also ended up playing in college for a bit, so it gave me an opportunity there, too. Me and one of my best friends from high school coach a travel team together and have a training camp in Erie.”

Through hockey, Eliason built friendships and developed leadership qualities he uses today.

One of his favorite traditions at Prep was rivalry night with McDowell.

“The rivalry games were always a highlight of the year,” he said.

Those matchups brought the school together and created moments that the players will never forget.

Today, Eliason is an entrepreneur as well as a project manager for Brentwood Industries. He also started his own hockey training camp with his high school teammate and fellow coach, Jacob Schlosser, called JB’s Hockey Lab. Prep inspired him to take chances in life.

“Prep inspired me to take a risk,” he said, “to go out and get what I want and don’t sit down while opportunities pass me by.”