Tom Hodges (ice hockey)

Thomas Hodges (born June 25, 1993)[1] is a British-American life insurance salesman and amateur ice hockey player. He appeared for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the team's final game of the 2021–22 season as an emergency goaltender following injuries to both John Gibson and Anthony Stolarz.

For other people named Thomas Hodges, see Thomas Hodges (disambiguation).
Tom Hodges
Born (1993-06-25) June 25, 1993
Shrewsbury, England, UK
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Anaheim Ducks
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2016–2016
2022

Early life

Hodges was born in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom, but emigrated to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and grew up playing youth ice hockey. Hodges was forced to abandon his aspirations of playing in the National Hockey League after taking an errant puck to the head at age 12, which caused him a decrease of vision in his left eye.[2] He later attended Southern Methodist University and played club hockey there despite his injury,[3] and later became a goalie coach of the Allen Americans of the ECHL. During his time there, he was put into a 2016 game for the Americans, entering with 50 seconds remaining in the game.[4]

NHL appearance

On April 29, 2022, both of the Anaheim Ducks' goaltenders, John Gibson and Anthony Stolarz, were injured during a game against the Dallas Stars. Hodges entered the game during the third period as the emergency backup goaltender, after signing a one-game contract with the NHL.[5] Donning a Stars helmet and pads,[6] and wearing number 68 for the Ducks without a nameplate on the back,[7] he entered the game at 0:54 of the 3rd period with the game tied 2–2.[8] He made two saves on three shots, allowing a goal from Jason Robertson, which wound up being the game winner to help secure a 4–2 win for Dallas.[9] He became the first emergency backup to enter a game in the NHL since David Ayres in 2020.[10] Hodges' performance drew applause from fans and players from both teams.[3]

For his efforts, Hodges earned the third star of the game, and was able to secure his game-worn jersey and a game puck.[11]

Career statistics

Regular season
Regular season
Season Team League GP W L OTL TOI SA GA SO GAA SV%
2016–17 Allen Americans ECHL 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0.00 –
2021–22 Anaheim Ducks NHL 1 0 1 0 19 3 1 0 3.11 .667
NHL totals 1 0 1 0 19 3 1 0 3.11 .667

See also
  • Jorge Alves – Carolina Hurricanes equipment manager who played as a backup goalie for his team on December 31, 2016
  • David Ayres - Zamboni driver who played for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2020, becoming the first emergency goalie to record a win in an NHL game
  • Matt Berlin - Backup goalie and college student who played for the Edmonton Oilers on January 28, 2023, saving his lone shot faced
  • Scott Foster - Backup goalie and accountant who played for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017 and saved every shot faced
  • Lester Patrick – former New York Rangers coach who, at age 44, played in the 1928 Stanley Cup Finals for the team as an emergency goalie
  • List of players who played only one game in the NHL

References
  1. "Tom Hodges". Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  2. "Ducks use emergency backup goalie Tom Hodges in loss to Stars". NBCsports.com. Associated Press. April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  3. "Emergency goalie Hodges makes two saves in loss for Ducks". NHL. April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  4. "Game Center". www.echl.com.
  5. Ellis, Steven (April 30, 2022). "ANAHEIM DUCKS USE EMERGENCY BACKUP GOALIE IN FINAL GAME". The Hockey News.
  6. O'Leary, Sean. "Ducks turn to EBUG Tom Hodges in season finale vs. Stars". The Score.
  7. Stephens, Eric (April 30, 2022). "Stars emergency backup goalie Thomas Hodges plays in third period for Ducks". The Athletic. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  8. "Anaheim Ducks - Dallas Stars - April 30th, 2022". National Hockey League.
  9. DeFranks, Matthew (April 30, 2022). "Professional for a period: Stars emergency goaltender Thomas Hodges had a night to remember". Dallas Morning News.
  10. Kaplan, Emily (February 22, 2020). "Zamboni driver, 42, stars as emergency goalie for Hurricanes". ESPN. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  11. "Ducks use emergency backup goalie Tom Hodges in loss to Stars". NHL. April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
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