Mike Hoffman set to make NHL debut against Hurricanes

by DarrenM on Dec 23, 2011 3:00 PM EST in Ottawa Senators prospects

TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 19: Carl Gunnarsson #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs contains Mike Hoffman #68 of the Ottawa Senators during preseason NHL action at the Air Canada Centre September 19, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

With the Senators plagued by injuries to their forward corps, Mike Hoffman has been given the opportunity to step into his first NHL game tonight. He'll suit up in #68 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Hoffman's route to the NHL has been a bit of an unorthodox one, but that makes it all the more impressive that he's playing in an NHL game at just 22 years old.

Hoffman's major junior career started in the OHL where he played six games for the Kitchener Rangers during the 2006-07 season. However, he was cut at the start of the 2007-08 season, so he jumped over to the QMJHL to play for the Gatineau Olympiques, only to get cut again. He played for the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL for the rest of the season, and was not selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

In the 2008-09 season, he led his team to a QMJHL championship with 52 goals and 94 points in just 62 regular season games. He added 21 goals in 19 playoff games. He was traded to the Saint John Sea Dogs to start the 2009-10, scored 46 goals in 56 games, and won himself the QMJHL MVP trophy.

That's where things took a bit of a turn for the Hoff. Hoffman struggled through his first AHL campaign, posting a team-worst -22 and even being sent down to the ECHL to play for the Elmira Jackets for a few games. He steadily improved through the season, but was a healthy scratch to start the AHL playoffs. However, Hoffman got a chance to play in the second round and found himself a pivotal part of the Binghamton Senators' championship run. In talking about Hoffman, B-Sens coach Kurt Kleinendorst had this to say:

"Every young player will have those defining moments in their careers and coming out of the Quebec league, being the leading scorer, having the year he had ... I don’t know if he ever had to make the commitment to work as hard as he has here. That took him awhile to figure out. I think he’s finally figured it out and I’m going to tell you, if we were to vote now, I would say he’s probably been, from the beginning of the playoffs to this point, our most improved player, without a doubt."

That's one hell of a turnaround -- a healthy scratch last spring and now getting an opportunity to play in the NHL on December 23rd. It's a better Christmas present than I'll be getting this year, that's for sure.

For more on Mike Hoffman, you can read Peter's interview with him here.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I wonder if #68 is a Jagr tribute

I can’t wait to see him tonight, he sounds like a fun player to watch.

He is likely only going to get 1 game with Michalek back Tuesday so hope he doesn’t stuck with Konopka.

Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan

by Adnan on Dec 23, 2011 3:52 PM EST reply actions

I would be surprised to see him anywhere but the fourth line

It’s not realistic for a young kid to come in and play top minutes. We should all realize that between Zibanejad, Filatov, Da Costa, and Rundblad at this point.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Dec 23, 2011 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

I watched him in Saint John

If you’re not tired of hearing me say it. Anyway, he was a dangerous player everywhere – strong along the boards, scored dirty goals in close and played the point on the PP where he showed off one hell of a shot.

It seems he’s needed his time to adjust to each step up, so I don’t expect this time to be any different. Thing is he’s always been able to do it. He’s got wicked skills and a proven level of determination so I’ll look forward to what he can eventually bring to the Sens.

by west-sider on Dec 23, 2011 5:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I would love to see him do some damage from the fourth line

But I don’t have any expectations for him beyond that in his friggin’ NHL debut.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Dec 23, 2011 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

I agree here

Why would a kid like Hoffman come in and bump anyone else down the lineup? Which players would he bump? It’s not as though he’s lighting the world on fire offensively in the AHL, or anything… the fourth line is a starting point for someone in his position.

Also, let’s not continue dismissing Konopka as someone you get ‘stuck’ with. He’s actually a pretty good linemate for a kid like Hoffman, considering how often he wins faceoffs and gains possession for his team.

Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay

by Peter Raaymakers on Dec 27, 2011 12:30 AM EST up reply actions