A Sun-Dried Samsonov?

USHR News: June 7, 1998:

A Sun-Dried Samsonov?

We haven't seen him yet, but a reliable source has described Noah Babin as "highly skilled, fast,
and quick, with excellent lateral movement...he's a Samsonov type of skater, low to the ground,
really good balance."

He's also from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida -- and only just turned 14. "He's a baby in the hockey
sense, and not exactly sure about the finer points of the game," our source continued. "However,
he's intelligent -- he passes into open space very well -- and highly developed for a kid who came
out of nowhere."

His family is also confused -- in the good sense -- about what to do next, but right now it looks like
young Noah will be playing next year in the Toronto Marlies or Compuware organizations, or at
Avon Old Farms, a Connecticut prep school..

"We visited Avon Old Farms and walked out of there just stunned. It's a beautiful place," said Don
Babin, the boy's father, "but they only play a twenty-game schedule. Noah's hungry to play, and
he's always played up."

The youngster started playing roller hockey in Florida at age eight, and was so good that his
parents had to form a team so he'd have someone to play with. Several years later, in the fall of
'95, Noah, then 11, switched to ice skates when a Florida developer completed Planet Ice, an
indoor arena a few miles from the Babin home in Palm Beach Gardens. Last year, Babin played
for the Team Florida Midgets, sharing the scoring lead with his 17-year-old linemate.

Noah, who's a right shot center, is 5'10", 170 lbs. and was born on March 11, 1984. His father is
6'0", 200. Babin will be playing in the Peterborough, Ontario Lift-Lock Tournament July 17-19.