No. 17, freshman forward Gavin Hodnett
Photo credit: Omaha Hockey
MavPuck is profiling the 11 newcomers on Omaha’s 2026-27 roster. Links to the previous profiles are at the bottom of the blog post.
Gavin Hodnett was 15 years old when he played his first game for the Edmonton Oil Kings.
By the time he left Edmonton four-and-a-half years later, he had won a WHL championship, served two seasons as captain and finished fifth in modern franchise history in scoring.
Now the 20-year-old forward is coming to Omaha.
Growing Up in Edmonton
Hodnett, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was selected by Edmonton with the 19th overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
He made his WHL debut on Dec. 17, 2021, against the Swift Current Broncos and recorded an assist in his first game.
Hodnett appeared in six regular-season games that year and was part of the Oil Kings team that won the 2022 WHL Championship.
His first full season came in 2022-23. Edmonton won just 10 games, but Hodnett led the team in scoring with 43 points and was named the Oil Kings’ MVP, Top Rookie and Top Scorer.
Edmonton improved its win total in each of the next three seasons and returned to the playoffs in 2025 and 2026.
Captain at 18
Hodnett was named captain of the Oil Kings at 18 and wore the “C” for his final two seasons in Edmonton.
“One moment I’ll never forget is being named captain at 18 years old for the Oil Kings,” Hodnett wrote in a letter to Maverick fans after committing to Omaha. “I got to experience through it all a lot about leadership, responsibility, and putting the team first.”
In the same letter, Hodnett told Maverick fans, “I will bring the compete every night.”
Leaving His Mark on the Record Book
Hodnett led the Oil Kings in scoring in back-to-back seasons, becoming one of only four players in franchise history to do it.
He finished his Edmonton career with 71 goals and 156 assists for 227 points in 229 regular-season games.
His 156 assists rank third in modern Oil Kings franchise history, while his 227 points rank fifth. He became the sixth player in franchise history to reach 200 points.
Hodnett also recorded 87 power-play points, including 63 assists.
On Nov. 18, 2022, Hodnett scored three goals and added two assists against the Brandon Wheat Kings. At 16 years and 223 days old, he became the youngest player in modern Oil Kings history at the time to record a hat trick.
It was also the first five-point game by a 16-year-old in modern franchise history. All three goals were the first of Hodnett’s WHL career.
What He Brings to Omaha
Hodnett comes to Omaha with 229 games of WHL regular-season experience and two seasons as captain of the Oil Kings.
He finished with nearly a point per game over his Edmonton career.
One Thing to Know
Hodnett grew up in Winnipeg and attended Winnipeg Jets development camp in both 2024 and 2025.
What We’ll Be Watching
Hodnett recorded 53 points in 41 games in his final season in Edmonton.
Leaving His Mark on the Record Book
Hodnett led the Oil Kings in scoring in back-to-back seasons, becoming one of only four players in franchise history to do it.
He finished his Edmonton career with 71 goals and 156 assists for 227 points in 229 regular-season games.
His 156 assists rank third in modern Oil Kings franchise history, while his 227 points rank fifth. He became the sixth player in franchise history to reach 200 points.
Hodnett also recorded 87 power-play points, including 63 assists.
On Nov. 18, 2022, Hodnett scored three goals and added two assists against the Brandon Wheat Kings. At 16 years and 223 days old, he became the youngest player in modern Oil Kings history at the time to record a hat trick.
It was also the first five-point game by a 16-year-old in modern franchise history. All three goals were the first of Hodnett’s WHL career.
What He Brings to Omaha
Hodnett comes to Omaha with 229 games of WHL regular-season experience and two seasons as captain of the Oil Kings.
He finished with nearly a point per game over his Edmonton career.
One Thing to Know
Hodnett grew up in Winnipeg and attended Winnipeg Jets development camp in both 2024 and 2025.
What We’ll Be Watching
Hodnett recorded 53 points in 41 games in his final season in Edmonton.
At 5-foot-8 and 161 pounds, he’s another of Omaha’s smaller forwards making the move from major junior hockey to the NCHC.
Gavin Hodnett at a Glance
Number: 17
Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
Height/Weight: 5-8 / 161
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Shoots: Left
Previous Team: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Edmonton Career: 229 games, 71 goals, 156 assists, 227 points
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