What started as a way to stay connected to hockey has quickly turned into a growing career for one local videographer, now getting a taste of the professional level.
Hayden Bodnar said he first picked up a camera about three years ago while still in high school, looking for a way to remain involved in the sport he loves.
“I’ve always loved being around sports, and I always just kind of wanted to find a way in to be around the sport that I love, which is hockey,” Bodnar said. “I couldn’t make the NHL playing it, so I had to find a way in elsewhere.”
From the Wheatland Kings to the NHL
Since then, Bodnar has filmed a range of events, from local teams to major showcases, including the Strathmore Stampede, tournaments in Las Vegas and Kelowna, and several games for the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings.
Earlier this week, he was in Seattle, where he was covering games involving the Seattle Kraken, including a matchup against the Calgary Flames.
Bodnar said the opportunity came through connections built while working with a Calgary-based U18 AAA team, eventually leading to an introduction to the Kraken’s video production staff.
While the jump to the NHL level has been exciting, he said it also comes with new challenges.
“It’s definitely a lot faster game,” he said. “With the Kings, it’s a little bit slower pace, so I can anticipate the play… but in the NHL, you don’t expect it. You just put your camera in and hope that you get the goal.”
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A local start
Closer to home, Bodnar got his start by reaching out to local teams, including the Kings, where he began filming games regularly.
“I just kind of reached out to them… and I shot a game for them,” he said. “Right after that, they asked me if I wanted to come back and shoot year-round with them.”
Despite the rapid growth of his work, Bodnar said the path hasn’t been without its challenges, particularly when it comes to meeting client expectations.
“I can film it, and I can make a cool video, but if the players on the ice don’t do the cool stuff, then it’s kind of tough,” he said.
A fast-growing career
Even so, he said the momentum has been surprising.
“When I started it three years ago, I didn’t really expect anything… “It’s just been building momentum and just reaching out to people,” he said. “It’s kind of started to grow into a more serious career than when I thought of just kind of a fun hobby.”
For now, his work with the Kraken is limited to a weekend opportunity, but Bodnar hopes it can lead to something more permanent.
“In the future, I would hope to kind of expand into a full-time position with either the Kraken or another NHL team,” he said. “But right now, it’s just the weekend.”
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