Born in Montreal, Hodge began his career as a sportswriter with the Chatham Daily News in 1965, then on to local radio CFCO in 1966 and onto to CFRB from 1968 to 1986.[1]
On March 14, 1987, Hodge was the in-studio host as the CBC carried a game between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs. The game ended early and the network switched over to a regional game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens for the end of the third period. The game was tied 3-3 when the third period ended just before 11 PM Eastern time, meaning overtime would be required. CBC executives decided to cut away after 11:00 and that only viewers in Quebec (who had also seen the game from the start) would get to continue watching. A visibly disgusted Hodge apprised viewers of the situation, concluding his remarks by flipping his pen in the air:[3][4]
Now, Montreal and the Philadelphia Flyers are currently playing overtime, and, are we able to go there or not?...We are not able to go there. That's the way things go today in sports and this network, and the Flyers and the Canadiens have us in suspense, and we'll remain that way until we can find out somehow who won this game, or who's responsible for the way we do things here. Goodnight for Hockey Night in Canada.
Following the on-air incident, Hodge quit. He was told he could have his old job back if he apologized. He stated that he had nothing to apologize for and took a different job.[5]
By the time of his termination, Hodge had already moved to Vancouver, where he was working as the sports director of radio station CKNW and serving as the host of Vancouver Canucks radio broadcasts that did not conflict with his CBC duties. He continued to reside in Vancouver and work for CKNW for the next few years.
Hodge joined TSN in 1992 and hosted TSN Inside Sports and its spinoff, That's Hockey. He also co-hosted the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Hodge hosted a Sunday morning show called The Reporters from 2002 until its cancellation in 2017. He currently provides commentary for TSN's NHL coverage.
On Saturday, November 24, 2018, Hodge made a surprise appearance on the pregame portion Hockey Night in Canada. Notably, it was Hodge's first appearance on HNIC since the "pen flip" incident more than 31 years before. He was invited to appear at the suggestion of present HNIC host Ron MacLean. MacLean, who had replaced Hodge in 1987, interviewed him for about six minutes. Hodge and the rest of the HNIC on-air personalities wore retro sky blue HNIC blazers that would later be sold at auction with proceeds going to the charity Hockey Fights Cancer.
