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At All Florida Hockey we continue our monthly tribute to outstanding Florida youth hockey players by recognizing 2007 player Austin Cooper Baker.
Austin Cooper Baker was born March 29, 2007, in Plantation Florida and grew up most of his life in Coral Springs Florida only a few miles away from the Panthers Ice Den where he learned to skate before the age of three and began to play ice hockey just before he turned four.
Austin bounced around from rink to rink competing in various local recreational leagues until he began travel hockey at the age of nine starting off with the Miami Toros coached by Johnny Arceo. The team was tremendously successful and swept both the league and SAHOF state championships.
Over the years Austin would continue to be on many other championship teams both tournament and SAHOF, while playing for many great coaches like Paul Healey, Dave Beaudin, Brian Tuffin, John Griffin, Peter Worrell and Mike Rodriguez.
As Austin’s talent grew, so did his drive and determination to improve every season, while along the way making lifelong friends. After a full season of playing Tier 1 hockey last year, one of Austin’s dreams came true as he was accepted to Gilmour Academy, an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day and boarding school in the Cleveland suburb of Gates Mills, Ohio. It is known for its high standard of academics and extremely strong Prep hockey program. They have many teams, but Austin was chosen to be on the 16UAAA roster as a starting forward. Despite an early season injury in practice, he is flourishing, extremely happy and getting stronger every day while living and training with his teammates.
Austin understands that with hard work in the classroom, the gym and of course on the ice, no dreams are too big and is determined one day to be playing NCAA Hockey and maybe something even greater!?