Belleville Senators: Catching Up With Hayden Hodgson
If you are an avid hockey watcher, or follow the AHL, you know of Hayden Hodgson. After practice, Hodgson sat down with Olde City Sports Network to talk leadership, trades from juniors, to his first NHL game.
Before Hodgson started playing professionally, he was part of the OHL. He was a third round pick by the Erie Otters in 2012. After nearly two seasons with the Otters, He was traded to the Sarnia Sting for then OHL team Belleville Bulls, third round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. Hodgson was then traded for a second time from the Sarnia Sting to Saginaw Spirit for center Devon Paliani, a second round pick in 2019, third round pick in 2017, fourth round pick in 2016, and a conditional fourth round pick in 2018. Trades like these in the junior level, can ultimately prepare a player for trades and the movement of professional hockey, especially at the minor league level. “I think obviously, you don't expect to get traded, but yeah, I think it's part of the game. Not that I want to jump around or anything like that, but yeah, it's just part of the game game and I think I have adjusted well”
After Hodgson’s time in the OHL, he signed his first professional contract with AHL Cleveland Monsters. Hodgson dressed in 41 games for Cleveland and tallied three goals with three assists. Hodgson speaks on what it was like to sign that contract and start his professional career. “It was great. You know, it's obviously been a goal of mine, since I was a young age.It's eight years years later now.” During that same season, Hodgson played three games with ECHL Florida Everblades and two games with ECHL Manchester Monarchs.
Hodgson is one player that worked his way from the ECHL to the NHL. Moving up the ranks takes hard work and going through the grind of minor league hockey. There is also a difference in leagues, Hodgson touches on. “Yeah, of course, of course, everybody is trying to make it to the NHL whatnot, and if it's going from East Coast to the AHL, everybody wants to jump up a league, no matter what league you're in. There’s a lot of guys that are in tune to systems and whatnot, and in the right spots of all time and the compete is a lot higher.”
While playing for the Reading Royals in the 2019-2020 season, Hodgson suffered a serious injury while playing a school day game against the Worcester Railers. He sustained a cut to the back of his leg from a skate that was seven inches wide and three inches deep. He spoke on what it was like to come back from that injury. “That was a long time ago now, but that was something that I hope nobody ever experiences. I got a skate caught on my calf and had a pretty serious injury. I was in Reading at the time and obviously Kirk MacDonald was there with me, and he was an unbelievable coach. I can't say enough about him and the training staff helping me get back and healthy. It’s something that kind of set me back for a little bit, and I'm just happy I'm still able to play.”
Hodgson earned an NHL contract with the Philadelphia and made his NHL debut on March 24th, 2022. In that first game, he earned his first NHL goal. “It's so obviously a dream of mine and a dream of my family's. It was just a surreal moment and a moment that I'll never forget. Just with the guys and winning in St. Louis and cherishing with my family, it's just a moment that I'll always have.”
After playing for so long, players tend to feel more comfortable in certain playing situations like the power play or penalty kill. “Over the years, I think my role is always been changing, and I think I'm a pretty versatile player. If it’s playing fourth line and being a checker, or I'm on the power play or penalty kill, I think my game suits a lot of roles and my skill set.I think on this team right now, I'm playing a shutdown role and hard on the forecheck and fourth line guy, but also, just kind of been adapting as the years go on.”
Serving a veteran role in the locker room not only provides guidance, but players serve as a mentor to the younger players coming into the world of professional hockey. Hodgson, being in his eighth professional year, serves that role in Belleville. “I just like to keep it light and to have a good time. It's important to always enjoy your day at the rink, because we're lucky to be able to play pro hockey. I just try to translate that to the guys every day and just be a leader and a guy that all the guys can look up to.”
Off-season is a time to relax and keep working for the next season ahead. Most players have a routine they get into during the off-season with working out and skating. “Typical off-season training, I usually take a couple weeks off and I hit the golf course and spend some time away from the rink. I'm usually in the gym pretty quick off in the season. um, but, you know, lots of skating, three to four times a week and then the gym four to five days a week. It's important to take care of your body and treatment. As I've gotten older, I just kind of got it down to a science and it's pretty standard now.”
Hodgson is currently on an NHL contract with the Ottawa Senators. He has played in 30 games for Belleville and has notched three goals with seven assists during the course of this season.
-Samantha Wismer/ Olde City Sports Network
Photo Creds: Belleville Senators