Hayden Hodgson Bio
Hayden Hodgson is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Belleville Senators in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 207 pounds, he skates and shoots right-handed. Hodgson went undrafted by NHL teams but has carved out a long professional career through persistence, including a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Early Life and Background
Hodgson was born on March 2, 1996, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, to Christine and Todd Hodgson. He grew up in nearby Leamington, Ontario, where he played ice hockey, baseball, and golf during his childhood. For most of his adolescence, Hodgson wrestled with a decision between hockey and baseball, two sports at which he showed genuine promise.
Despite collecting several awards for golf, he eventually abandoned the sport after his golf swing began negatively affecting his baseball batting. During the 2011–12 season, Hodgson played minor ice hockey for the Sun County Panthers of the Alliance Hockey organization, scoring 21 goals and 41 points in 28 games. He also pitched for the Windsor Selects under-16 baseball team that same year, reflecting his multi-sport background.
Path to Professional Hockey
The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) drafted Hodgson in the third round, 44th overall, of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. His first OHL goal came on October 24, 2012, as part of the Otters’ 7–1 rout of the Saginaw Spirit. His rookie year ended early after a controversial collision resulted in a ten-game suspension, finishing with eight goals and 12 points in 60 games.
On January 10, 2014, Hodgson was traded to the Sarnia Sting in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2015 OHL priority selection draft. After another suspension early in his time with Sarnia, he rebounded to score five goals in 18 games. In 2014–15, Hodgson recorded 23 goals and 38 points in 59 games, helping the Sting reach the playoffs where they were eliminated by Erie in five games.
Hayden Hodgson Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
After going undrafted by NHL teams, Hodgson signed with the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, on March 23, 2017. He played one split season with Cleveland, tallying three goals and six points while also spending time with the Florida Everblades and Manchester Monarchs in the ECHL. Seeking more stability, he later headed overseas to play for HC 07 Detva in Slovakia, where he recorded seven goals and 14 points in 21 games.
Returning to North America, Hodgson joined the Reading Royals of the ECHL, where he battled through a serious leg cut and missed two months before returning to register 12 goals and 20 points in 36 games. After stints with the Wheeling Nailers and the Utah Grizzlies, he continued to develop his game and gain experience at the professional level.
Philadelphia Flyers Era (2021–2023)
Hodgson tried out for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL, the affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, and earned a two-way contract. In 46 games with the Phantoms, he notched 19 goals and 31 points. On March 22, 2022, the Flyers signed him to an NHL contract for the remainder of the 2021–22 season, with an average annual value of $750,000.
Hodgson made his NHL debut two nights later against the St. Louis Blues, filling in for an injured Oskar Lindblom. He recorded his first NHL goal and assist in that debut, helping the Flyers win 5–2 at the Enterprise Center. He appeared in six games for Philadelphia, scoring one goal and three points, before re-signing with the team on a two-year contract.
Belleville Senators Era (2024–Present)
On July 2, 2024, the Ottawa Senators signed Hodgson as an unrestricted free agent to a one-year, two-way contract. He passed through waivers and was assigned to the Belleville Senators to start the 2024–25 season, where he tallied five goals and 11 points in 43 games. After a recall in April 2025, he made his Ottawa debut against the Montreal Canadiens and appeared in two NHL games, going scoreless.
In the offseason, Hodgson signed a two-year, two-way contract to return to Ottawa. He was fined by the NHL during training camp for an illegal check in a preseason game against Montreal. Assigned to Belleville to start 2025–26, he was recalled in November and made his NHL season debut in a 4–2 victory over the Utah Mammoth, appearing in ten games with Ottawa while recording six goals and 11 points in 47 games with Belleville.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hodgson is known primarily as a physical, hard-nosed winger who brings energy and toughness to every shift. His size and strength make him effective along the boards and in front of the net, while his willingness to drop the gloves adds an element of intimidation to his game. He has shown the ability to contribute offensively when given consistent ice time, particularly at the AHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Hodgson’s career came on March 24, 2022, when he scored his first NHL goal and added an assist in his debut for the Philadelphia Flyers against the St. Louis Blues. That debut performance signaled his arrival as a legitimate NHL contributor. He has also faced multiple suspensions throughout his career for illegal checks and on-ice incidents, reflecting his aggressive style of play.
Hayden Hodgson Career Wins
While Hodgson has not captured a major professional championship, he has accumulated numerous wins across various leagues throughout his career. His journey through the OHL, AHL, ECHL, and NHL has showcased his resilience and ability to contribute at multiple levels of professional hockey.
Professional League Highlights
Hodgson recorded one of his most notable statistical seasons in 2021–22 with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, scoring 19 goals and 31 points in 46 games, which earned him an NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. His NHL debut goal against the St. Louis Blues remains the highlight of his top-level career. With the Belleville Senators, he has continued to provide scoring depth and veteran leadership at the AHL level.
Other Wins and Performances
In the OHL, Hodgson’s most productive season came in 2014–15 with the Sarnia Sting, when he scored 23 goals and 38 points in 59 games and helped the team reach the playoffs. Internationally, his time with HC 07 Detva in Slovakia gave him valuable experience in a different hockey culture, contributing seven goals and 14 points in 21 games during the 2018–19 season.
Hayden Hodgson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hodgson was raised by his parents, Christine Hodgson and Todd Hodgson, in the close-knit community of Leamington, Ontario. Growing up in a sports-friendly environment, he was introduced to multiple disciplines at a young age, including hockey, baseball, and golf. The family’s support played an important role in his eventual decision to commit fully to ice hockey as a profession.
Personal Life
Public details about Hodgson’s personal life beyond his family background remain limited. He continues to focus on his professional hockey career, splitting time between the Belleville Senators and the Ottawa Senators organization. His journey from undrafted minor leaguer to NHL contract holder reflects the dedication that defines his approach both on and off the ice.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Hodgson within the Ottawa Senators organization. After spending most of 2024–25 with the Belleville Senators, where he tallied five goals and 11 points in 43 games, he was recalled in April 2025 and made his Ottawa debut against the Montreal Canadiens. He appeared in two games for the Senators, going scoreless, before returning to Belleville.
During the 2025–26 campaign, Hodgson signed a new two-year, two-way contract with Ottawa and was assigned to Belleville to begin the season. After a brief stint with the Senators in November that included his season debut in a 4–2 win over the Utah Mammoth, he continued to provide scoring and physicality at the AHL level, recording six goals and 11 points in 47 games with Belleville.
Looking ahead, Hodgson remains an established depth forward for the Senators organization, valued for his physical presence and willingness to play a tough, minutes-eating style. His combination of AHL production and NHL availability makes him a reliable call-up option for Ottawa as the season progresses.