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Photo by Steve Kingsman
Over the course of 25 seasons, 1,644 games and more than 5,000 practices, Jason Hodges (New Baltimore, Mich.) has served as an athletic trainer for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. During his tenure, he helped the U.S. win 12 gold medals, three silvers and three bronzes at international competitions.
After Hodges worked his final game with the program on Oct. 5, he reflected on what has stood out most to him during his time with the NTDP.
“The great players and kids who have come through the program is what I will miss,” said Hodges, also known as “Bird” by players and fellow staff members. “Some of our staff have been around for a long time. Overall, they have the same goal in mind. We all work together to make sure the players succeed. The dedication that they have. It’s the family-like atmosphere that has been built over the years and that is what everybody buys into.”
Hodges leaves the NTDP with decades worth of memories. Of the dozens of international events he’s worked, one from almost 20 years ago stands out the most.
Photo by Chris Tanouye
“The first U18 world championship that we won in 2006, and I was a part of that group in the Czech Republic. That is one of the best memories,” he said. “That is what we live for and why we are here.”
Being the athletic trainer can sometimes be a thankless job, but coaches are eternally grateful for all the work they put in to help the team succeed. Just ask Nick Fohr (Grand Forks, N.D.). The current Under-17 head coach worked with Hodges directly during Fohr’s time as an assistant for the Under-18 team.
“That communication is so important as you are trying to plan out your week,” Fohr said. “Having the most up-to-date information is very important, especially as guys get hurt. Sometimes kids come off the ice and we don’t recognize it as a coach and didn’t see what happened, or the players doesn’t say what is going on. Having this conversation is so important.”
When he worked with Hodges, Fohr always noticed how much he cared about the program.
“The biggest thing that comes to me when it comes to Jason — whether he taught it or he has learned — it’s the passion. He was so proud of the NTDP and USA Hockey. It really gives you a deeper appreciation for the organization and what it involves. We might have had some ugly times, losing a game 13-0 or it was quiet on the bus, he always knew what to say.”
Long hours are a mandatory part of the job for trainers. Jake Visser (Grand Rapids, Mich.), who spent 15 years working with Hodges as the equipment manager, spent several long nights together with Hodges prepping for games. The work is what matters in the moment, but with time to reflect now, Visser remembers the quality time he spent with Hodges.
“He was telling a story when we were in Pittsburgh earlier this year, and I realized that I will not hear that story again since no one else was there,” Visser said. “The stuff we have done over the years – whether it’s the saunas in Finland, or swimming in the Black Sea in Russia – that is what I am going to miss.”
Hodges started working for the NTDP when the program was based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has seen the program evolve a ton over the course of 25 years.
On top of being around for the move from The Cube to USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, Hodges said the thing he’s seen change the most is the increased commitment from the players to the sport each season.
Hodges leaves the NTDP with quite a legacy. Former NTDP and USA Hockey staff members noted how he always made others feel like they are part of the team.
Chris Peters (North Liberty, Iowa), who served as the director of public relations for the NTDP from 2008-2010, recalls the first time he met Hodges when Peters was just an intern. Years later, Hodges’ friendliness still stands out years later.
“Jason was so patient with me,” Peters said. “He knew how nervous I was, and he could sense that, and he made it a point to invite me to things. One year later, when I got to the program, I would go see Bird in the training room and it allowed me to calm down. He always puts others before him. I always knew that I had a friend that needed me when I needed one.”
Photo by Rena Laverty
The stories about Hodges go on and on. Stan Wong (Boca Raton, Fla.), who served with Hodges over a 20-year span as an athletic trainer for Team USA during international events, always noticed how much everyone respected Hodges.
“The hours are long but working with Bird makes it a pleasure,” Wong said. “When I got to the training room, you can see the respect he gets from the coaches, the players and the other support staff.”
Wong added that Hodges always seemed to make quick connections with players. He had a natural ability to make them laugh and relay information to them in ways they could easily understand.
Wong’s also thankful for everything Hodges has done to help him over the years.
“I have told him many times about how much he has done for me, and I hope to be able to repay him some day,” Wong said. “USA Hockey has been so blessed to have Jason with them for so long. He is so deserving of all the good things that comes his way. You get what you give. He needs to take to heart what a great job he has done.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.