Growing up in Dauphin and starting hockey at a young age, Marco Bodnarski spent many nights at Credit Union Place watching the Dauphin Kings. Whether it was a Friday night, Saturday night or anytime throughout the week, Bodnarski was cheering on his hometown team.
Then Bodnarski continued to develop his own game and as the years went on, Bodnarski’s dream of playing with the Dauphin Kings became more in reach. Then last year alongside Rylan Gibbs, Marco signed his letter of intent to join the Kings this year.
Then you fast forward to last weekend and Bodnarski made his Kings debut against the Swan Valley Stampeders. It happened to come in Dauphin so the newest #12 for the Kings had the chance to play in front of his family and friends for the first time in his regular-season junior career. Marco looked solid and the Kings picked up a 3-2 overtime win over their Parkland rival.
“It was a very special moment for my family and me,” said Bodnarski. “It’s something I have been wanting to do for so long so to make it happen, means a lot.”
Being a first-year player, Marco had to earn his playing time in the game against Swan Valley last weekend and that will continue to be the case for the rest of the season. And while he knows nothing will come easy, the former Parkland Ranger from Dauphin is enjoying the experience and challenge.
“That’s what you practice for, it’s about giving it everything I have every single day,” said Bodnarski. “I want to be the best teammate I can be and work as hard as I can. It’s a great feeling to be a King and I’m looking forward to moving ahead.”
Dauphin is back in action on Friday as they welcome the Winnipeg Blues to town for the first time. Dauphin enters the game 2-3-1 and is coming off a 4-1 loss against the Neepawa Titans. Dauphin’s downfall this year has been their inability to score as they have just 12 goals in six games.
“We just have to stick with it and keep working hard,” offered Bodnarski. “We have a lot of skill on our team, we just have to keep working hard.”
Get to know Bodnarski
What’s your favourite sports team? The Pittsburgh Penguins
What is your favourite hockey memory? I would say winning U15 AA provincials in The Pas
What’s your favourite pregame meal? Chicken and rice, can’t go wrong with it
What’s your favourite kind of music and what is your favourite song? I like rap and country and my favourite song is sleeve by Nate Smith
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would go to Italy because of the unique scenery and it has a ton of history that would be interesting to learn about