Mike Hoffman

History

2008-09: Mike Hoffman was the third-leading scorer for QMJHL-champion Drummondville in his second season of junior hockey. In 62 regular season games he scored 24 of his 52 goals on the power play and was +25 with 42 assists for a Voltigeurs team that won 54 of 68 games. In 19 playoff games he had 21 goals (13 on the power play) with 13 assists and was +2 with 26 PMs. Drummondville was 2-2 at the Memorial Cup; losing to champion Windsor in the semifinals after having beaten the Spitfires in their opening game and Hoffman was -3 with 1 assist and 4 PMs in four games.

2009-10: Hoffman was named the QMJHL's Most Valuable Player as a 20-year-old after being acquired by Saint John and helping the team to it's first-ever, first-overall finish. The skilled center was the leading scorer for the Sea Dogs and was seventh in the league with 85 points despite playing just 56 games. Hoffman racked up 46 goals (third in the QMJHL) with 39 assists and was +38 with 38 PMs. He scored 17 times on the power play and 15 of his goals were game-winners. In 21 playoff games he scored 11 goals with 13 assists and was +2 with 6 PMs. The Sea Dogs reached the league finals but lost to Atlantic Division rival Moncton in a six-game series.

2010-11: Hoffman made steady progress after some early season struggles in his first year of pro hockey with AHL Binghamton. He scored 7 goals with 18 assists and 16 PMs in 74 games. He was a team-worst -22 plus/minus but showed improvement after returning from ECHL Elmira after a four-game stint with the Jackals. Hoffman skated in 19 of 23 playoff games for Binghamton as the club won the AHL's Calder Cup and scored 1 goals with 8 assists with a -2 plus/minus and 16 penalty minutes.

2011-12: Hoffman made his NHL debut in his second pro season, seeing nine minutes of action and finishing minus-one for the Senators in a December game against Carolina (his only NHL appearance). Skating in all 76 games for the Senators' AHL affiliate Binghamton, he was the team's leading scorer with 21 goals and 28 assists and was minus-18 with 44 penalty minutes. Ten of his 21 goals were scored on the power play. Binghamton missed the AHL playoffs, finishing fifth in the East Division.

2012-13: Hoffman was called up by Ottawa in March 2013 and skated in three games with the Senators before re-aggravating a collar bone injury that would keep him out for the rest of the season. He was -1 with no points and 2 penalty minutes; averaging 12:19 minutes of ice time. Hoffman was one of the top scorers for Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Binghamton before suffering his original injury in January. He scored 13 goals with 15 assists and was +9 with 38 penalty minutes in 41 games. The Senators were second in the East Division and had the AHL's fourth-best record before being swept by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a first round series. Hoffman was re-signed by Ottawa to a one-year contract as a restricted free agent in July of 2013.

 

Talent Analysis

Hoffman is a skilled center with great shot and good speed. His junior coach Gerard Gallant compared Hoffman's shot to Brett Hull’s. He can also set up teammates, skate like the wind and kill penalties. Hoffman's two-way game to this point is a work in progress and he has not yet shown the bulk or strength needed at the pro level.

 

Future

Hoffman will be back in the AHL for his fourth season of pro hockey in 2013-14. He is still adjusting - both physically and tactically - to the pro game. He has the skills of a top-six NHL forward and will look to continue developing at Binghamton. With several young forwards now in the mix for Ottawa, it is difficult to project a timeline for Hoffman but he is at a key stage in his development.