After 15 years on pro ice left wing leader Jeff Hoggan(10) decides it’s time to head to the bench.
He becomes the new head coach for Omaha AAA Hockey Club, which should be helped by the degree he earned after four years at University Of Nebraska-Omaha, so in essence the Hope, BC native must have felt like this was home.
The always gritty leader, five time captain, including the 2013 Calder Cup Championship with Grand Rapids Griffins played a whopping 751 AHL games, 107 NHL games for 3 different teams and 81 in Germany’s DEL.
It’s likely the 39-year old is enjoying life on the other side now.
Jeff Hoggan(10) Grand Rapid Griffins
12th year undrafted left wing Jeff Hoggan(10) had a nice welcome home campaign after two years abroad in Germany playing in DEL.
He joined Grand Rapid Griffins on a training camp tryout agreement but as of a few days before the start of the regular season had himself a one-year AHL contract and was named team captain from the get-go.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward guided the Griffins to the 2013 Calder Cup Championship, a distinction he previously won as a rookie with Houston Aeros in 2003.
The veteran of 488 regular season AHL games with 5 different teams has scored 131 goals, 125 assists and an overall +19 rating. He lead the league in that category in the 2007-2008 season with a remarkable +39.
He has 107 NHL games to his credit playing two full seasons with St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins and a couple of cups of coffee as a member of Phoenix Coyotes‘ system.
The 35-year unrestricted free agent signed a two-year deal to continue with Detroit Red Wings‘ minor league affiliate through 2015.
Original story: 7/10-13
After winning the whole she-bang and scoring another pair of years under contract the team captain, steady veteran presence posted identical stats in the next two seasons (14-17-31) although he played a full schedule in 2013/2014 and 59 games last campaign but did also post a huge +23 rating.
He even added another 6 goals and 8 assists in 26 postseason contests.
At 37-years old he wasted zero time signing another one-year extension, his fourth with Grand Rapids Griffins to forge ahead with the team and his 14-year career.