• Chicago 1965 - 1967
• Boston1967 - 1976
• New York Rangers 1976 - 1978
• Boston Stanley Cup Champs.1970 & 1972
• 3 time NHL All Star Right Winger
• 328 goals and 472 assists for 800 pts

Ken Hodge began his career in the Chicago Black Hawks system, playing junior with St. Catharines, Chicago's junior team in Ontario, before moving up to the NHL at the end of the 1964-65 season for one game. Because most of the team was small and Hodge was 6'2' and 210 pounds, he was expected to be the team's policeman for the next two years. "It was my job and I did it, but it cost me offensively," he said. "I wound up in my fair share of fights. But it's not really my nature. I don't like playing the bully, and it hindered my development as a player. I didn't take a regular shift, and when I was on the ice, I had other responsibilities." His most glaring weakness at this time was his skating, but he worked tirelessly on it over the summer months to improve. However, during the summer of 1967, Hodge was involved in one of the most lopsided trades of all time. Chicago sent him, Phil Esposito and Fred Stanfield to Boston for Gilles Marotte, Pit Martin and Jack Norris, virtually assuring Boston of two Stanley Cup wins in the coming years. Ironically, Hodge had been in the Boston system when he played for a Lakeshore team in Toronto as a 15 year old, but Chicago beat the Bruins to the punch when they signed him to the standard C-Form on his 16th birthday.

Hodge played on the Bruins' number one line with Esposito and Wayne Cashman and his confidence exploded. He started to use his strength to hold onto the puck and create scoring chances instead of fighting, and he became one of the best scorers in the league because of his excellent shot. In 1968-69, he scored 45 times, one of the best seasons in league history. But his productivity had a curious effect on the Boston fans. The more he scored, the more they booed him. "Sometimes, I feel like telling them all to go to hell," he admitted. "But I figure the boos come from people who just don't understand?. I gather that the people feel I'm not aggressive enough. But I don't think you have to run around crashing into people to qualify as a hockey player."

One disgusted fan even hung a number 8 sweater in effigy from the Garden's rafters, but Hodge came to deal with the local criticism as part of playing the game. He simply wasn't as physical in the corners as John McKenzie was, and his penalty totals were never a part of the Big Bad Bruins reputation.

Hodge helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972 and he was with the team for nine seasons. His scoring began in earnest when coach Harry Sinden stepped down after the 1970 Cup win and Tom Johnson took over, giving Hodge more power-play and ice time. "It's no secret that I didn't get along too well with coach Sinden," he confessed. "We didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things. Tom Johnson is quite a guy. I'd do anything for him."

Hodge also changed sticks for the first time in his pro career. Previously, he used one of the biggest hooks in the league, but in the fall of 1970 he switched to an almost straight blade at a time the league was regulating the size of curves. This, he felt, gave him another shot in his arsenal?the backhand. "I think it's only a matter of time before the straight stick will be the only kind we're allowed to use," he said, explaining his decision to change.

Hodge twice scored 100 points in a season, and in 1973-74 he scored 50 goals for the first and only time in his career. But in the summer of 1976 he was traded in a rather acrimonious manner. After being sent to the Rangers, Hodge was verbally attacked by current Boston coach Don Cherry, who was instrumental in getting rid of him. "The biggest problem with Ken Hodge is that he's a country clubber. He doesn't want to pay the price. He simply isn't a team player. If we won and he felt he hadn't played enough, he'd skate directly to the dressing room. He's the type of guy who would be happy if he scored three goals and we lost 4-3." Hodge retired after the 1977-78 season, although he played a few games with Binghampton of the AHL two years later. Despite playing in three All-Star games, which were his proudest accomplishments other than the Stanley Cup wins, he never won an individual trophy in the NHL.

Interview with a Legend by Ken Newans

Q: You played in all of the original great arenas, your homes included: The Chicago Stadium, Boston Garden and Madison Square Gardens. Do you have some special memories about them?

Hodge: They all had a history of their own, and you played each rink differently. The ice was always different…Chicago and Boston good ice; Madison Square Garden had bad ice. In all of the arenas the crowds were close to the action and the pucks would bounce differently off the boards. In Chicago the second balcony was over the ice. In Boston the ice surface was small and we were a big team and we made a physical statement that we were in charge. In New York the fans would attempt to climb over the glass to get at refs and opponents. Of course they had the circus in New York and that would turn ice from bad to brutal. Home ice in those days gave the home team a one goal edge. Those arenas were built for something other than hockey, Boston was built for basketball, Chicago Stadium was built for professional cycling and Madison Square Gardens was built for boxing. The Forum and Maple Leaf Gardens were built for hockey and somehow they were special to play in.

Today the new arenas are built for all around entertainment like concerts, conventions, trade shows and sports. The new arenas also have money- making boxes, but they don’t have the character of the old arenas.

 

Q:What was your greatest thrill in Hockey?

Naturally winning two Stanley Cups was exciting, but my greatest thrill was my first game in the NHL. I was in Chicago and my family and friends were there; it was the realization of a dream that will forever be my defining moment.

 

Q: During your nine years in Boston you played with Phil Esposito and Wayne Cashman and set all kinds of Bruin records. Why did the three of you blend so well?

We had just the right chemistry and all had something to prove. Espo wanted to prove he was more than a garbage scorer. He wanted to and became a feared and respected goal scorer. Cashman was a tough hard-nosed right-winger, playing left wing, who never took a night off. I wanted to contribute and I was pleased to have a 50 goal season and several 40 goal seasons. All three of us were big and strong and averaged about 80 penalty minutes a year.

 

Note: Both Hodge and Cashman played the boards and corners with reckless abandon and Espo made the slot his scoring platform with great success. They had great respect for each other and an incredible work ethic, and they were unselfish.

 

Q: Harry Sinden who never played a day in the NHL was your coach and later G.M. What was his secret to success?

He was and is a great student of the game. He knew what buttons to push and when. His love of the game was contagious. I believe he is a great G.M. despite what the media may think. His business acumen is outstanding. He will pay players well if they produce, but will not submit to ridiculous salary demands if they are unwarranted. Only 5/28 teams made money last year and Boston was one of the five. This is a great credit to Harry in an era when hockey and sports salaries are out of control.

 

Q: Your son Ken made the NHL and played with Boston. That must have been thrilling?

I was proud of Ken, but I’m proud of all three of my boys because they all played High School and College hockey and played games in the Boston Garden. I’m also proud of my two daughters, one of whom is married and recently presented us with a grandchild, and our youngest who is still at home. Then, of course my wonderful wife who kept everything on an even keel while I was absorbed in hockey. Without her, none of my accomplishments would have been possible.

 

Q: I must ask you about the kid “Orr”?

He was a gentleman and a spectacular player that changed the game when he led the offense from his defensive position. Bob is also a great community person, who has done a lot for Boston charities. Boston sports fans rank Orr right along side Ted Williams, Larry Bird and Bill Russell as Boston and Massachusetts' greatest all-time athletes.

 

Q: I notice a lot of Canadian Hockey Players make their home in Boston. Why?

I think because New England is much like Eastern Canada; four seasons with lots of trees, lakes and streams.

 

Q: Did you find it difficult to retire from hockey?

Absolutely not, I was ready to move on with my life and wanted to spend more time with my family.

 

Q: Why do you tour with the Oldtimers' Hockey Challenge?

I get a chance to play with my heroes Ullman, Lafleur and Mahovlich, and it’s great to get to know your old foes like Lafleur & Shutt who were once the enemy and now I found they’re wonderful guys!

Also, I’m looking forward to seeing Alaska and traveling again with my friends and former teammates Brad Park and Terry O’Reilly.