Terrier Alumni Spotlight: John Odgers
This week’s installment of the Terrier Alumni Spotlight is John Odgers. John was part of the Terrier organization from 2011-2014. During those years John played in a total of 104 regular season games and 14 playoff games. In his last season with the Terriers, an injury ended his playing days, which made him switch from a player to an assistant coach and help the Terriers become RBC cup champions in 2014.
Prior to John’s junior hockey career, John suited up with the Yorkton Harvest U18 AAA for two seasons. In his first season with the Harvest, John scored 3 goals, 6 assists for 9 points and adding 71 penalty minutes in 36 games. In the playoffs that season, John played 4 games recording 1 goal and 2 penalty minutes. In his second season, John would play 42 games scoring 8 goals and 12 assists for 20 points while adding 75 penalty minutes. During his last season of U18 AAA, John dressed for 7 games with the Terriers in 2010-2011, recording 8 penalty minutes. John would also dress for a playoff game with the Terriers.
John’s first season of junior hockey saw him spend time between the Yorkton Terriers and the Prince George Cougars of the WHL. In 8 games with the Cougars, John scored 1 goal and had 18 penalty minutes. His time with the Terriers saw John play in 26 games, scoring 1 goal adding 1 assist and 38 penalty minutes. John’s role on the team was to be a strong guy to play against and spent some time killing penalties. John was never scared to drop the gloves when the time came. John quickly became a fan favourite with his hard hitting style of play.
His second season with the Terriers, during the 2012-2013 campaign, John played in 48 games, scoring 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points while accumulating 138 penalty minutes. Once again John was relied heavily on to wear down team’s defenceman and to kill penalties while scoring a shorthanded goal that season. John and the Terriers reached the playoffs and went on a magical run that season. John dressed in 13 playoff games adding 1 assist and 35 penalty minutes. That season saw John and the Terriers win the Canalta Cup Championship and falling just short in the second qualifying game at the Western Canada Cup.
John’s last season with the Terriers was another rememberable one. Unfortunately, John’s season got cut short as a player from an injury but made him switch roles and be part of the coaching staff. John played in 23 games before his playing time was over, scoring 3 goals, 2 assets and 43 penalty minutes. Once John became part of the coaching staff, he helped the Terriers capture another Canalta Cup championship. John and the Terriers weren’t finished yet as they went on to win the Western Canada Cup and punch their ticket to Vernon to compete for the RBC National Championship.
John and the Terriers were slow out of the gates in Vernon at the RBC tournament. Dropping their first two games of the tournament the Terriers knew they had their backs against the wall. During the tournament John was always positive and his positivity towards the team caught on to everyone and the team won four straight including an overtime win to capture the RBC Cup Championship. Even though John wasn’t playing at that time, he was a big part of the team and helped the team capture their first national championship.
After John’s playing days were over, he still is part of the game today. He is the strength and conditioning coach for the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League, where one of his teammates from the 2014 national championship team, Turner Ottenbreit is a member of Iowa. John is keeping his dream alive of making it to the NHL but as a strength and conditioning coach.
Q and A with John Odgers
1)Name and years played with the Terriers?
John Odgers, 2011-2014
2) Favourite memory during your time with the Terriers?
Tied between winning Canalta Cup with my brother or RBC as a coach
3) Toughest SJHL opponent and hardest rink to play in?
Toughest opponent was Nipawin and hardest rink was Notre Dame
4) How did your time with the Terriers help get you to where you are today?
Taught me teamwork, how to be a good teammate and what it means to make a sacrifice for something bigger than yourself.
5) Favourite TV show or movie?
James Bond Casino Royale
6) What are you up to these days?
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Iowa Wild. Live in Des Moines, Iowa with my wife Jovi and dog Frankie.
7) What are your plans for the next 3-5 years?
Move up into an Asst Strength and Conditioning position in the NHL.
8) Favourite athlete of all time?
My dad.
9) Favourite Meal/Food?
Steak and potatoes.
10) Favourite Music/Musician?
Foo Fighters
11) What are some of your hobbies?
Compete in powerlifting, golf, and play guitar.
12) Favourite sport other than hockey?
To play – golf. To attend/watch – baseball.