Ottawa Senators‘ Hodgson Embraces “Last Shift” Mentality, Carving Out NHL Role
LAS VEGAS, NV – After a long road through the ECHL and AHL, Ottawa Senators winger Jayson Hodgson is making a important impact in the NHL by approaching every moment on the ice with a relentless, “last shift” mentality. Hodgson, currently with the team as they prepare to face the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, has quickly become a valuable contributor to the Senators’ fourth line since being recalled in mid-November.
Hodgson’s journey to the NHL is notable for its perseverance. Undrafted, he spent four seasons honing his skills in the ECHL before finally making his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2022. Now, with 15 NHL games under his belt, the 6’2″, 221-pound forward is seizing the prospect presented to him in Ottawa, having signed a two-year, two-way contract with the institution last summer.
Conversations with Senators General Manager Steve Staios and Head Coach Travis Green late last season were pivotal in Hodgson’s decision to commit to the team. He was already motivated after playing two games with Ottawa in April 2025, but the leadership’s vision solidified his commitment.
“I was already very motivated,” Hodgson said, referencing those initial games. He got a second chance to prove himself in the NHL after being called up from Belleville,marking his first NHL games in two and a half years.
Hodgson has consistently demonstrated a willingness to embrace any role necessary to establish himself as a full-time NHL player. Throughout his career, he’s proven his offensive capabilities – leading his midget team in scoring, topping the Saginaw Spirit in points during his final OHL season, and scoring 19 goals in just 46 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in his second AHL season, finishing second on the team.
However, he’s equally comfortable contributing physically. “When I was younger, I was always used in an attacking trio, but I was never afraid to push my opponents. I always had that card in my deck,” Hodgson explained. “I was able to throw my gloves away. I was efficient on the forecheck. I had a good skate for my size. I’m willing to do anything to stay in the NHL. I feel perfectly comfortable in a fourth trio.”
That willingness has translated to immediate impact. In six NHL games as his recall, Hodgson has delivered 18 hits in just 38 minutes of ice time, leaving a lasting impression on opponents.
“I think things are going pretty well so far. I just try to move my feet and make an impact when I’m on the ice. I try to play every appearance on the ice as if it were my last. I’m just trying to help my team,” Hodgson stated Tuesday after an optional workout in Vegas.
Coach Green has taken notice. “Yes, he’s good. I like him a lot,” Green said on November 15th. “He brings a lot of energy. He’s fast. He’s smart.When he hits, he hits hard.”
Hodgson’s experience killing penalties in belleville, where the team emphasizes a fast and aggressive approach, has also prepared him for potential special teams duties in the NHL. while he hasn’t yet been utilized in that role at the NHL level, he’s ready to contribute if called upon.
“It’s interesting. We play fast and aggressively shorthanded in Belleville. It’s the same thing here. It’s a role that suits me well,” Hodgson said. He’s focused on “defining my role” and finding what makes him effective, believing that’s the key to sustained success.
