Embracing the grind: Landen Hookey eager to impress

By: Zach Staden / BSEN

After a summer away from the rink, Belleville Senators forward Landen Hookey is back on the ice and already looking ahead to what could be a key season for his development.

The Sarnia, Ontario native was smiling from ear to ear coming into the prospect tournament last weekend in Gatineau, Quebec, looking to make more waves in his second professional season. With familiar faces returning, new teammates joining the organization and another opportunity to prove himself, Hookey is eager to get back into the routine of professional hockey.

“It’s been great, honestly. I felt like I had a good summer and put in some work. So it’s nice to be back with all the boys, and seeing some familiar faces. I’ve been itching to get back into a game.”

Before getting back into that routine, Hookey was able to enjoy some time away from hockey. After the season ended, the forward took a 12-day trip to Italy, giving him a chance to reset before turning his attention to the offseason.

“I went to Italy, actually, for 12 days after the season, so that was a nice getaway. Being able to reset, eat some good food, and relax was great. I definitely recommend it. If people want to go there, I’d go there again.”

Once the summer got underway, however, the focus quickly shifted back toward development. Hookey identified his skating, strength on the puck and ability to create plays down low as some of the biggest areas he wanted to improve.

“Yeah, I think, you know, I had a good summer. I worked hard. I think I just kind of tuned in on my skating, something that I needed to work on. Being stronger on pucks, trying to dominate down low, do below-the-dot work this summer, and hold onto pucks better and make plays was the goal. So I think I kind of focused on that part of my game.”

This was an important step for the 22-year-old, who spent his first professional season sharing time between the Belleville Senators, where he played 49 games and recorded five goals and 12 points, and the Allen Americans of the ECHL, where he added one goal and one point in five games.

That work continued with his trainers back in Sarnia, where Hookey focused on the smaller details that can help a bigger player become more effective. Staying lower, improving his quickness and developing his ability to stay strong on the puck were all parts of his offseason plan.

“Yeah, obviously, with my trainers back in Sarnia, they have great plans and everything for me. We just worked on staying lower and keeping my base steady. The lower I can stay, the stronger I can be. It’s weird little things like quickness, box jumps, bikes, all that kind of stuff helps. Just getting those fast-switch muscles going makes a difference. I think that was a big step for me this summer, so it’s been good.”

The work comes with a clear objective. As Hookey prepares for another season of professional hockey, his biggest long-term goal is to show that he belongs at the NHL level. For the former Owen Sound Attack winger, that means focusing less on when the opportunity might come and more on making sure he’s ready when it does.

“Yeah, I think for me, I just want to show that I belong, that I’m a player that can be called upon to the NHL. I’m working towards that, that’s my goal. For me, it’s showing people every night, and showing myself every night that I can take advantage of the opportunity, and that I’ll be there one day. Taking things step by step, not looking too far into the future and staying in the moment. That’s a big part for me. But obviously, the goal is to play in the NHL for the Ottawa Senators. So as I said, just taking steps every day towards that will get me there.”

That mindset is something Hookey has carried with him from his first professional season. Last year, he was surrounded by veteran players who showed him what it takes to make the jump from being a prospect to a professional, and now he’s hoping to use those lessons as he takes another stride.

“Yeah, last year we had a great group of guys. We had a lot of leaders who showed what it takes, and I learned more about the different aspects of being a pro and what it’s going to take to get to the next level. I think I learned a lot of that last year and implemented it into my summer training. Then, obviously, coming here (to the prospect tournament), we have some younger guys, and if they need some help, I’m always there to help them out. I know what it was like for my first year.

Now, with main camp in the forefront, Hookey knows he’ll have another opportunity to separate himself from the competition. Rather than trying to reinvent his game, his focus will be on leaning into the attributes that already make him effective.

“Yeah, I think for me, obviously, just sticking to my game is the biggest thing. I’m a bigger guy, so I need to use that to my advantage. I might not be as fast as everyone all the time, but I feel I have a lot of other attributes that are better. So just using my strength and my abilities to help me through main camp and stuff, it’ll show what I’m all about. I’m excited for that, and hopefully we can have a good camp.”

The competition for spots will also come with plenty of new faces. Belleville and Ottawa made various additions over the summer, bringing in players with different levels of professional and NHL experience. While turnover is simply part of professional hockey, Hookey is excited about what the new group can bring.

“Yeah, I think it’s great. Obviously, it kind of sucks to see some guys go, but at the end of the day, that’s how it works. So I think, the guys we got in, they are great hockey players. All of them play at such high levels. It’ll be interesting, because I feel we have a good team this year. I’m really excited for what’s ahead.”

One of those new faces, however, is someone Hookey already kind of knows. Christian Kyrou, a new addition to the Senators’ backend, previously stayed with Hookey’s family in Sarnia for a couple of months after being traded to the Sting. The connection creates a unique link between two players who will now share a dressing room in Belleville.

“Well, actually, Kyrou, he billeted at my house in Sarnia, for a couple months when he got traded there. So I wasn’t there, obviously, but I met him a couple times. He was living in my bedroom for a bit there, so it’s nice to see him.”

While the new additions bring excitement, Hookey’s biggest anticipation comes from something much simpler: getting back into the daily grind with his teammates. For him, there’s something about the routine of walking into the rink every morning, seeing the group and getting to work that makes the start of a new season special.

“Yeah, I think I’m excited to just come into the rink every morning with all the guys. The best part is seeing everybody get to work. Everyone gets into a nice routine and then your head goes down and that work starts, and it’s a grind. So I love the grind and I’m excited for that, and then, you know, we fell short last year, so everyone’s goal is to make the playoffs this time around.”

For Hookey, the next chapter is about more than simply returning to Belleville. It’s about taking the lessons from his first professional season, putting his offseason work into action and proving that he can take another step toward his ultimate goal.

With a playoff push ahead and an NHL opportunity in his sights, Hookey enters the season ready to embrace the grind.

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