STEPHANIE ARDELL

Cody Hobbs feels at home on the ice.

The Huskies defenceman just completed his fourth year with the Dogs men’s hockey team.

Growing up in Prince Albert, Hobbs played midget AAA with the hometown Mintos and was instrumental in helping the squad bring home the Telus Cup in 2005 and 2006.

After midget hockey, Hobbs was picked up by the Western Hockey League’s Chilliwack Bruins. He played with the Bruins for two seasons before he was traded to Prince George to compete with the Cougars.

Hobbs has been lacing up his skates since he was a mere two years old, and attributes much of his success to his role model.

“My father was a huge influence on me,” Hobbs said. “He got me into it. He’s the one who taught me and coached me growing up.

In the last four years, the 23-year-old has logged some major minutes holding up the Huskies’ defensive end.

Reflecting on his most recent season with the Dogs, a campaign that drew to a close on March 15, Hobbs said he has few regrets. Aside from a few select games where he feels the team did not live up to its potential, Hobbs believes the team played good hockey throughout the season, despite losing out of the University Cup.

“I thought we played good as a team,” Hobbs said. “They were all close games and we had our chances to win, but just couldn’t score. It was frustrating but overall we played with a lot of heart.”

The Huskies will host the national championship again next year. With next season being his final year of Huskie eligibility, Hobbs is already thinking about getting another shot at the title.

“I’d like to win it. I’d like to get that ring on my finger,” he said.

Even though the Huskies failed to capture either a conference or national title this year, Hobbs is happy to be healthy at season’s end — something he hasn’t experienced in recent years.

“It’s tough to bounce back after [being injured for] five to 10 games,” Hobbs said. “It was nice to go a season without one” injury.

Last season Hobbs tore his MCL in a nasty knee injury, forcing him to watch half of the season from the bench.

Hobbs is currently in his second year at the University of Saskatchewan and studying environmental earth science. He’s hoping to get a chance to work in the field this summer.

“As long as it’s outside and in the wilderness, I’ll enjoy it,” Hobbs said.

The same is true for Hobbs’ summer leisure time. He never misses an opportunity to visit one of the handful of lakes surrounding his home town. Relaxing with friends along the beaches of Emma, Candle or Waskesiu lakes is how he enjoys spending his warm-weathered weekends.

He is also fond of fishing, and takes to the boat with a rod and reel when he and his father go on their annual fishing trip to Kingsmere Lake.

Hobbs said the trip can be a bit of work at times.

“We have to portage the boat in. That’s kind of fun,” Hobbs said.

“Well, it depends how many guys you have to help carry it,” he added laughing.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/Photo Editor