Ben Hladik
| No. 46 BC Lions | |
 Hladik with the Lions in 2023 | |
| Born: | March 8, 1999 Vernon, British Columbia |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| University | British Columbia |
| High school | Vernon Secondary (BC) |
| CFL draft | 2021, Round: 3, Pick: 22 |
| Drafted by | BC Lions |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2021–present | BC Lions |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Honours | Second Team All-Canadian (2019) |
| Career stats | |
| |
Ben Hladik (born March 8, 1999) is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
University career
Hladik played
Professional career
After not playing in 2020, Hladik was ranked as the 16th best prospect in the
He made the team's active roster following training camp and made his professional debut on August 6, 2021, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[2] He recorded his first tackles against the Ottawa Redblacks on September 11, 2021, where he had two defensive tackles and two special teams tackles.[2] He played in all 14 regular season games in 2021 where he had two defensive tackles and six special teams tackles.[2]
In 2022, Hladik again made the team's opening day roster and earned more playing time on defense after mostly playing on special teams during his rookie season.[2] Following an injury to Boseko Lokombo, Hladik made his first professional start at linebacker on July 21, 2022, where he had six defensive tackles.[7][8] He later recorded his first career interception on August 6, 2022, against the Edmonton Elks, after picking off Taylor Cornelius.[9] Due to his strong play, Hladik continued to start at linebacker following Lokombo's return to the active roster.[8][10] He played in all 18 regular season games in 2022, starting in 13, where he recorded 59 defensive tackles, six special teams tackles, four pass knockdowns, two sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.[11]
On February 6, 2024, the Lions announced that Hladik had signed a two-year contract extension with the team.[12]
Personal life
Hladik and his wife, Kailyn, were married in April 2020.[13] Hladik's father, Scott, and grandfather, Frank, played high school football in Alberta while his brothers, Bradley and Andy, played football in Vernon.[14]
References
- ^ a b "Ben Hladik". UBC Thunderbirds. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ben Hladik". BC Lions. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
- ^ "2021 CFL Draft to feature some significant changes". Canadian Football League. November 5, 2020.
- ^ "Jackson tops fall edition of Scouting Bureau". Canadian Football League. October 8, 2020.
- ^ "Canadian Football League clubs high on Okanagan player". Black Press. May 3, 2021.
- ^ "Lions Sign Three From 2021 Draft Class: Hladik, Green & Packer". BC Lions. May 21, 2021.
- ^ "Hladik ready to fill void with mentor sidelined". BC Lions. July 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Game Notes" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
- ^ "Edmonton Elks vs BC Lions". Canadian Football League. August 6, 2022.
- ^ "Lokombo eyeing milestone, peaking for final stretch of '22". BC Lions. September 29, 2022.
- ^ "2023 CFL Guide" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
- ^ "Lions extend LB Ben Hladik through 2025". CFL.ca. 2024-02-06. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
- ^ "Big Ben's time: UBC's Ben Hladik, part of 'Birds star-studded linebacker class, stops at nothing to impress pro football scouts!". varsityletters.ca. April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Life at UBC is all about learning for Ben Hladik". The Province. September 12, 2017.