After years of playing within Dauphin Minor Hockey and a few years with the Rangers program, Marco Bodnarski was given the opportunity to make his Dauphin Kings debut back on September 24.
It was a positive debut for Marco as he saw plenty of ice time as he helped the team down the Stampeders, 3-2, in an overtime thriller. The hometown favourite went on to play two more games with his hometown team over the next few weeks.
“It was nice to be able to play with the team, especially growing up watching them play,” said Bodnarski. “It was a special moment for my family and me.”
Following his three games played, Marco was loaned to the Oceanside Generals of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League which is one of Canada’s top Junior B leagues. The move gave Marco a chance to get some more ice time and he certainly made his presence felt.
In four games with the Generals, Marco posted his first two junior assists. The Generals are currently in first place in the 11-team league with a record of 23-3-2-2. Ultimately, four games are all Marco would play with Oceanside as he has rejoined the Dauphin Kings.
Marco arrived back in Dauphin just about a week before Christmas and the team returned to the ice for their first practice of 2023 on Tuesday. Bodnarski says it’s great to be back in his hometown.
“Being back home with my family is really nice,” said Bodnarski. “Also being around town with my friends, it’s a great spot and I’m really happy to be back with the team.”
Dauphin is back on the ice this weekend as they open 2023 with a pair of games against the Winnipeg Blues. Friday’s game is in Winnipeg at the Rink Training Centre before the two teams return to Dauphin for a rematch on Saturday evening. As he continues to work as hard as he can so he can get in the lineup, Bodnarski says he has to stick with the process.
“I just need to keep working in practice and when I get a chance to play, I really need to show what I can do,” said Bodnarski. “It’s a battle at practice every day, so I need to continue giving it my all.”
Bodnarski also says there is plenty of buzz around the dressing room as Dauphin is just two points back of OCN for first place in the MGEU West Division. The team ended 2022 with points in five straight games and four of those games ended in wins.
“Everything is going well, everyone is excited to be back here,” ended Bodnarski. “We want to have success heading into the second half and I believe the group that we have here is capable of doing that.”
Off the ice, Bodnarski has been enjoying the World Junior Hockey Championships as Canada plays the United States on Wednesday evening in a semifinal.
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