Grand Rapids Griffins Captain Jeff Hoggan is a true example of what it means to earn your stripes, never give up, believe in yourself, and always pursue what you love.  For Hoggan, it was always about playing hockey for the love of the game regardless of the level, and whose passion, commitment, and dedication has led him to two Calder Cup Championships, 3 NHL teams, and to Europe and back.

Originally from the small town of Hope, British Columbia, Hoggan and his family moved to Chilliwack, BC so he could play a higher level of competitive hockey, which wasn’t uncommon for families to do at the time.  As scouts watched him play Midget AAA, Hoggan was asked to join the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL, for a unique opportunity he couldn’t refuse.  “My older brother was playing for the Chiefs and I got to play on his line.  It was a rare opportunity to play junior hockey with your older brother.  He was a big bodied guy and not afraid to tussle.  I was probably 150 pounds.  It was a unique experience for sure and something I will always remember.”

Hoggan played well for the Chiefs but ended up signing with the Powell River Kings of the BCHL the following year.  A decision which unknowingly led to fortuitous opportunity years later.  “I knew it was something I wanted to pursue and it turned out to be a great decision as it led to me receiving a scholarship to the University of Nebraska.”

His goal, at that time, was to simply play junior hockey.  Once he accomplished that, however, Hoggan knew he had to take care of academics.  The University route seemed to be a viable option.

“I was ecstatic when I found out that based on my hockey ability, I had the opportunity to play hockey while earning an education.  Once I was nearing the end of my junior career, I had these letters coming in from Michigan, Colorado, and a number of other schools.”

Hoggan signed with the University of Nebraska, whose hockey program at the time was in its infancy.  “There were a lot of boosters behind that program who really wanted to make an impact and get it off the ground.  The team ended up having one of the longest sellout streaks at the time for college hockey games.  I remember being there for the first ever game.  It was an awesome place to play.”  

He recollects the challenge of the startup team not being taken seriously at times.  It wasn’t until the second year of the program when Nebraska went on a Cinderella run that the team began receiving some notoriety.  “We ended up beating Michigan State at Joe Louis Arena, which was huge.  We actually got to the final.” 

Ultimately, Hoggan reflects on his experience at Nebraska as something special.  “My former teammates and I feel like we are part of history through this start up college program at Nebraska.  It was a great experience for all of us.”

Un-Drafted to the NHL

Although Hoggan had a successful college career, he was passed over in the NHL Entry Draft.  However, he would not let that derail his dreams on continuing is hockey career.  Throughout his life he showed resolve, overcame adversity, believed in himself and took opportunities as they were presented.  “I think I am an example of being an underdog success and I take pride in that.  I always heard people saying I am too small and telling me what I can or cannot do or what level of hockey I would or wouldn’t end up playing.  Within yourself you just know.  If you are determined and believe it, work hard every day.  The NHL was by far a long shot for me.  And to eventually get there was a dream come true.”

AHL Career

As Hoggan finished his college hockey career, he and his agent had talked to some teams but weren’t certain about where he might play next. “I was sitting in the library on campus and studying for a real estate exam with a group when I got a call from my agent who said he had a deal in place with the Minnesota Wild for an NHL contract for the next year.” (Hoggan couldn’t sign the contract in the current year without burning a year of the contract.)

The Wild signed Hoggan to a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO) and assigned him to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate at the time, the Houston Aeros, to gain some experience at the pro level.  “My likely spot the next year was going to be in Houston anyway.  I still had some development to do.  I was 24, kind of a late to even be starting a pro journey.  So I went to Houston, got a few games in, and met all the guys.”  

Hoggan fondly recalls his first shift in the AHL.  “I was a little nervous. Every time you step up a level it’s faster, guys are smarter, and they also seem a little bigger to me. I don’t know whether it was due to the fact I was in awe, having recognized some of the names I was actually about to play against, but I just played hard.  I got into a tussle almost right away.  I just wanted to prove myself.  It was awesome.  A truly, truly awesome experience.”

“The next year we actually went on to win the Calder Cup Championship.”

Winning the Calder Cup

Hoggan won the first of his two Calder Cup Championships in his first full year in Houston.  “It was one of those years where I was in and out of the lineup, just learning to be a pro, spending time wisely rather than playing video games, trying to stay fit, and just learning the game.  I was fortunate to play for a great coach, Todd McLellan in my first year.  We had a strong team.  We had some guys come in from Minnesota and we had a strong goalie.  It was an amazing feeling to win the Calder Cup, but back then the goal at the end of the day for players is to get to the NHL. You didn’t really reflect on the accomplishment as much as you do now.  Ten years later I won it again in Grand Rapids.  Right now for me winning the Calder Cup is the ultimate prize because the AHL is where I am at and that is where I am going to be.”

First Experience in the NHL

During the 2005-06 season, Hoggan made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues.  “I kept asking myself, ‘Am I really here, I am really doing this?’”  Then I kept thinking, “‘I am going to go on the ice soon’.  I just felt it in the pit of my stomach.  It was probably nerves, excitement, and just the accomplishment.  My former coach from Houston, Todd McLellan was actually on the other bench.  I remember just skating around in warm ups when he and I made eye contact.  I could sense him saying to me ‘You can do it if you believe in it.  Keep doing what you are doing.’  He was one of those guys who just gave you that look and you knew what he wanted to tell you.”

First NHL goal, 10/8/05 vs. San Jose

Hoggan fondly recalls his first NHL goal. “I was in on a fore-check and their defenseman played the puck up the wall which our defenseman picked up and shot towards the net.  I remember myself racing to the net and getting my stick on that shot to tip it past Evgeny Nabokov.  When I scored, it was almost like you wanted to act like you’ve been there before, but I got in a little pumper nickel of a celebration on that one for sure.  It was that feeling of years of blowing out birthday candles and dreaming to be in that moment.  It’s something I will never forget.  I still have the puck and the picture.”

Adjusting to the Professional Level

Hoggan explains that at the professional level, players have to be able to refine their game and sometimes find new niches.  “As a young guy in your first year of pro, unless you are a high end first round pick, it’s unlikely you are going to get a lot of ice time.  For me, I was considered a rugged two-way player.  That was what was going to get me to the NHL. You have to be willing to sacrifice for your teammates.  My first year I didn’t have a ton of points, but finished every check.  I was physical. And then the following year it just became more of an opportunity.  I was on the power play. You get everything you earn in this game.  I would classify myself as a grinder who can also finish. I scored 20 goals a few times in the AHL.  I made the most of the time that I had in the NHL but my role was definitely changing. You make the most of it. I’m at the point now where you do what’s asked.  I have played on the first line this year, and at times the fourth line.”

Giving Back to the Community.

By the end of the 2004-05 season while with the Worcester Sharks, Hoggan was named Man of the Year for his community efforts. “I did a lot of school visits and reading to the kids. I had an injury that year. I just had time, and did what the team suggested.”

“We do a lot of giving back to the community here in Grand Rapids. We raise money for kids who don’t have the opportunity to afford hockey. We do a 24-hour skate where there is a player on the ice at all times.  That’s one of the more impressive things that I’ve been part of over the years.  We also raise money for cancer and certain things like that. You don’t really think about it, it just makes sense to do.  Getting recognized for it is secondary.”

Importance of Love, Family and Support

Hoggan understands the importance of family and striking a balance between hockey and home life.  “I was fortunate to find someone who understands and shares the same goal.  Your perspective changes as you get older and start a family.  Before it was 100% sacrifice everything for your own dream/goal, so you have to find somebody that wants what you want and is willing to do that.”

Decision to Play in Germany for a Season.

For the 2010-11 season, Hoggan signed with the Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams in Germany. “I was 33 years old and I was thinking, where do I go from here? I was up and down a little bit in the NHL and getting close to my peak years of performance when I came to the realization that I should go to Europe while I could still skate and play at a high level. You want to enjoy the journey as much as you can.  Ultimately, we had a tough go there in San Jose that year, and I thought maybe there is something better out there so let’s try something different.”

 “I don’t think the big ice did me any favors. It was good experience and we had a good group of guys but it wasn’t the best hockey.  The fans were amazing. They were on their feet with flags and screaming the whole time.  It was a cool experience but I looked forward to coming back to North American pro hockey.  It’s tough to come back especially in your 30’s, so I feel fortunate that I was able to find a role here in Grand Rapids.  I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to go to Germany and play there, but the grass isn’t always greener.”

Signing with the Grand Rapids Griffins and Winning the Calder Cup for a Second Time

 “Nobody saw that year coming.  My former roommate had got into coaching and had met a coach in Western Michigan who had coached against me in college.  That coach was Jeff Blashill who is now the head coach in Grand Rapids.  I was coming back from Germany at 33-34 years old, while AHL teams want their young guys playing and developing.  There’s a limited number of veteran roles on an AHL roster.  So you need somebody who knows you and trusts you.  Coach Jeff Blashill believed in me and had heard good things about me but wasn’t sure he could sway Detroit on keeping me here.  It was a leap of faith coming in.  But that season we went on to win the Calder Cup.”

As the Detroit Red Wings have a proven track record of developing players through their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, Hoggan is aware of the long term player developmental implications that Calder Cup Championship would mean to the Red Wings organization.  “A lot of those guys that won the Championship in Grand Rapids are one day going to win the Stanley Cup and I’d like to believe it started here. It was truly a surreal experience. I just stepped back and enjoyed the moment because at that age you don’t know if it’s ever coming again. My two boys, my wife and I, we brought the Calder Cup trophy back to Hope, BC, to the friends I grew up with. I actually took it to Nebraska as well to share it with my old coaches. To come in to that circumstance, I still get chills thinking about it. It’s a moment that you want to chase again, and keeps me playing for that opportunity.”

“When I came to Detroit’s organization and saw Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist, even Petr Mrazek I knew these players would be stars in the NHL. As a captain you try to promote and even tell those guys, ‘hey look I’ve been around NHL guys and it is there for you.’ I encourage them to realize it. Some guys are given a limited role right away and they think it’s a slap in the face and they start getting down on themselves and you see them suffer.  Then you see guys that just really want it. I tell them ‘you might not always be perfect from day one but keep going. Somebody sees something in you and you have to find the best in yourself to keep pushing forward’.  Confidence is the key to growing in this game. If you don’t have confidence, you start getting down on yourself.  My role here is to do the things that help the team win and stress that if you do them you will get there, which is the goal for these guys.”

Being Captain to these Emerging Stars

Being named team Captain is an honor and privilege that is not lost on Hoggan, and a role he takes seriously.  “I’ve played the game long enough, I know what to say and when to say it. It’s a lot easier to preach a message if you believe in your coach and you know your coach is doing the right things. You just echo what he says and go out and do them. I think when a lot of these young guys see a 30 something year old journeyman doing what the coaches preach, and doing them at a pretty good level, they are motivated to do it too. It is all about doing the little things on a consistent basis along with skill.  Early on in a player’s career you try to balance the individual success versus your team success.  I think we just establish a happy medium here.”

Player Influences

Hoggan has interacted with some players who have influenced him to a large degree as well.  “Shane Doan is a first class guy. He would go around and make sure to introduce everybody to the guys. Even if he knew a player had no chance of making the team, Doan would go out of his way to make them feel welcome. That’s a guy you model yourself after, you want to play for, and you want to play with.  Zdeno Chara is another one whose work ethic is beyond belief.  He is just a machine.”

Interaction with the PHPA

Veteran players are often looked upon to help players both on and off the ice.  AHL (and ECHL) players are represented by the Professional Hockey Players’ Associacion (PHPA), however younger players don’t often take notice of the union until later on in their careers.  A point which Hoggan takes exception, and echoed by many veteran players.  “As you get older and your priorities change, you become more interested in the PHPA. We are fortunate to have a union especially in the minors. What I find is that the young guys don’t see themselves here long term. Even myself, I wish I put more time into it earlier on in my career.  As you get older you start to realize the importance of having a union.  For myself, I am going to be done soon.  My concerns are different from other players.  I wish I got more involved at a younger age.”

The game of hockey has given Hoggan everything in his life and opened doors to new opportunities that have led him to where he is today. Never did he take anything for granted, and nothing was ever set in stone. The key was keeping an open mind and doing what he loved. This message applies to anyone, hockey player or not.  Ultimately, success has to be earned.  When there is an opportunity it’s up to you whether to take it and make the most of it.  It’s the only success can be achieved, and Jeff Hoggan is a prime example of that.