Throughout the 2022-23 off-season, the Ontario Hockey League will be spotlighting a member from each of our teams’ front office staffs as we look to highlight those working “Behind the Scenes” of the day-to-day operations.
The newest edition features Owen Sound Attack Communications and Marketing Manager, Greg Hoddinott.
GH: My name is Greg Hoddinott and I am the Manager, Marketing & Communications for the Owen Sound Attack. A graduate of Laurentian University, I completed my Honours, Bachelor of Commerce in Sports Administration degree in 2005. Having joined the Attack during the 2016-17 season, I am now entering my 8th season in the Bears Den and am looking forward to what the future holds for the Attack organization, its fans, its players and staff and my family.
What are your responsibilities as Owen Sound’s Manager of Marketing and Communications?
GH: As the Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Attack I have my finger on all aspects of the teams business operations, including marketing, sales, communications, game day operations, food and beverage and hospitality. I am primarily responsible for the majority of teams corporate partnership sales and execution, leased suites and the teams marketing plan as well as our team of 6 full time business operations staff. Another portion of my time is spent liaising with the teams hockey operations department to coordinate meals, officials and the schedule for training camp and league mandated player training sessions. Further to that, I work with the teams General Manager to provide feedback on league scheduling and execute player travel to special events, trades and to the airport as needed. I am also the team liaison to the league office for all sponsorship and marketing activities as well as league requirements such as CHLtv and video replay and the Attacks resident tech support for all aspects of the business and game day operations.
What led you to your current role?
GH: Working in sports has always been something I wanted to pursue, but funny enough I never really wanted to work in hockey, even though I grew up in arena’s playing and around the sport. After spending a number of years in a similar role in the Athletic Department at Laurentian University in Sudbury, I was exposed to what it is like to work in an environment where student-athletes are pursuing their dreams both on and off the field of play. Despite the struggles these Athletes sometimes faced they seemed to find a way to see their journey as a glass half full proposition. This positive attitude is truly infectious and something I wanted to be around. After moving to Owen with my then fiancé and now wife, I took on different roles in the business world including working with Student Government at Georgian College and a Sales Rep for Pepsi, but always hoped to get back into the sports world and closer to that infectious positive outlook. I even reached out to a former classmate who was working at the league office to see if he had heard any rumblings of potential openings with the Attack, but while there was potential, nothing seemed imminent. In the end my patience paid off, and a role became available with the Attack and I was welcomed into the organization that truly makes you feel like you’re a member of their family.
Catering to a smaller market, what has been the most fulfilling part about making the Owen Sound Attack a community staple?
GH: It’s our extended Attack family, our fans. It’s the Roar of the Bayshore when an Attack player makes a big hit, scores a goal or makes a big save. It’s the smile on the face or the wide eyed look of a young fan when they are experiencing an Attack game for the first time or interacting with our players. It’s in the playoffs when that normally quiet Attack fan becomes one of our most vocal supporters. It’s the feeling of impacting our fans young or old in a positive way, giving them a space to escape or to feel a part of something bigger than themselves. It’s the countless community groups we have supported that have then supported members of our community. The most fulfilling part of making the Owen Sound Attack a community staple is truly the people, our fans, our extended family. They are truly an amazing group of supporters that genuinely care about everyone in our organization. The care and ownership that our fans take of our team and organization combined with the joy our players and team bring to the community both on and off the ice is truly amazing to see.
Since joining the Attack in 2016, what has been your favourite moment spent with the team?
GH: To be honest, that is a really tough question. On the ice, it would have to be our run in my first season with the team, which saw the likes of Nick Suzuki, Jonah Gadjovich, Kevin Hancock, Petrus Palau and Michael McNiven, overachieve in a sense and go toe to toe with a powerhouse in the Erie Otters in the Western Conference Finals. While we eventual fell to a stacked Otters team that included Connor McDavid, Anthony Cirelli, Alex DeBrincat, and the Radysh brothers to name a few, being a part of that run was an outstanding experience, something I hope to be a part of again in the near future. Off the ice, it is having the opportunity to work with the late Ray McKelvie, a man whose legacy of kindness, caring and excellence I will strive to emulate for the remainder of my life. Over my 7 years with the team Ray and I spent a fair bit of time together, time that I cherish and miss every day.
What are you most looking forward to this season as you continue to grow your department?
GH: There is a lot to look forward to this season. On the ice, it has the potential to be a very exciting season in the Scenic City with a strong young core of players coming into the senior years in the league that will hopefully spearhead a long run that will rally our community even closer together like it did during the 2011 OHL Championship season and our deep run in 2016-17. Off the ice, I am looking forward to the plans we have to provide our fans with more insight into our players and operation through increased digital content and community involvement. I am excited for new opportunities that are coming in our corporate partnerships that could open up new fun opportunities for game day executions this season and some of our new and evolving community programs. Hopefully we can make our fans proud on and off the ice this season.
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