NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Bogdans Hodass carries the puck from behind his net in the first period of a 2-1 loss against the Saskatoon Blades at Co-op Place on Oct. 28.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
During his first World Juniors experience Bogdans Hodass was just happy to represent Latvia. Now, in his second appearance in his nation’s colours, he’s looking to make an impact.
The 19-year-old Medicine Hat Tigers’ defenceman is leaving Sunday for Latvia’s World Junior selection camp ahead of the tournament starting on Dec. 26.
Hodass is excited to see his friends and family again before heading to the tournament.
“I’ll get to see my family again and my buddies but it’s tough for me because it’s only for one week, then I need to fly back,” Hodass said. “This tournament will be more important for me because I will play a lot of minutes this tournament, power play minutes. The coaches will trust me and I need to play my best.”
That heightened role on Latvia will be no different than the way Hodass plays for the Tigers. When donning the orange and black, he is on the top pairing alongside Rhett Parsons, tasked with shutting down the other teams’ best and also generating on the power play and limiting chances on the penalty kill.
He’s had a strong start to his WHL campaign, even while missing time due to injuries, putting up four goals and 15 points in 25 games. Hodass credits getting to play both sides of the puck and getting more comfortable in his second WHL season for his success so far.
“I’m starting to know what I can expect and it just keeps getting better,” Hodass said. “From last year to this year I’m just getting better a little bit and that helps me.”
Hodass had a goal and an assist for Latvia in five games at the 2022 World Juniors held in August. Latvia picked up its first ever win at the World Junior level in a 5-2 victory over Czechia, which, paired with a 3-2 shootout loss to Slovakia, qualified them for a playoff game and a qualifying spot in the 2023 tournament.
Hodass says every game will be important for them this year and they will have to be ready. The Latvians open their tournament on Dec. 26 against the United States before battling Switzerland on Dec. 27, Finland on Dec. 29 and the Slovaks on Dec. 30.
Tigers associate coach Joe Frazer, who is from Brainerd, Minn., says he will cheer against his home country in that Boxing Day matchup.
“I’ll cheer for Boggs, I always cheer for the Tigers first,” Frazer joked.
He said the organization is proud of Hodass for getting the chance to represent Latvia again.
“It was awesome for him to play in the World Juniors in August and he came back with a ton of confidence,” Frazer said. “They made Latvia team history winning their first game so it’s pretty special that he gets to go back. I know he’s really excited and it sounds like they have a lot of returners from August. So hopefully they’ll be rolling in a few more wins.”
While Hodass is in Halifax duking it out against the World’s top Under-20 hockey talent, the Tigers will rely on Kurtis Smythe to fill in on the top pairing. Hodass’ absence was one of the reasons Smythe was acquired by the club in October and is one he’s filled when the Latvian was hurt. Frazer is looking forward to seeing how he’ll take the role and how forward Cru Hanas will slot in up front.
“Kurtis has been good when he’s played on defence for us and now we should get 8-10 games in a row of just playing D and I know he’s excited,” Frazer said. “It’ll be great to get Cru in there, he’s been working hard. Both guys are excited and we just want to wish Bogdans all the best.”king hard. Both guys are excited and we just want to wish Bogdans all the best.”
