The Wildcats have added their 3rd defensemen to the 2022/23 recruiting class with the addition of smooth skating, Hunter Hodgson.

Hodgson, standing at 5’11”, 170-pounds and comes from East Wenatchee, Washington, he played 18U AAA hockey with the Wenatchee Wolves, where he served as a team captain and was called up after the season to play a few games with the Wenatchee Wild (BCHL).

“I chose to commit and play hockey at the University of Arizona because of because of the academic side of the university and the winning tradition coach Berman has installed in the hockey program,” said Hunter Hodgson. “I can’t wait to get going in Tucson. Bear down!”

Hodgson is a young defenseman with a ton of room to grow and brings exactly the kind of skill set coach Berman looks for in his defensemen: mobility and puck movement.

“Hunter and I have been talking for a while now,” said coach Berman. “I have been very impressed with the way he has carried himself throughout the process. He has a very mature mindset and demeanor for such a young hockey player. I was fortune to watch him in person at my camp last weekend and immediately knew he would fit right in. The first thing that stands out is his elite skating ability. As a younger player he is going to make some mistakes early, and that’s ok, but he has the skating ability and mentality to make up for a lot of those mistakes; and we value the recovery more than the mistake when developing defensemen. The next thing you notice is how well he advances the puck. Its off his stick quick and with a purpose. He will fit in perfectly with our transition game and adds to the depth we will have on the back end next season; I am really looking forward to watching his development in our program.”

We are only a couple of months away form the start of the season; Stay tuned as the Wildcats continue to reload for the 2022/23 season!