North to Alaska: Rebels select rearguard Anderson at U.S. Priority Draft
Despite hailing from way up north where Johnny Horton once sang about, Bodi Anderson has had a pretty up-close look at what life in the Western Hockey League is all about.
This thanks to his next-door neighbour – Gabe Ludwig who played for Seattle, Prince Albert and Wenatchee from 2020-24.
“I watched a lot of his games growing up. He obviously knew a lot about the league, so I asked him a lot of questions,” Anderson recalled Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after being selected by the Red Deer Rebels 37th overall in round two of the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.
“It’s super exciting and a big honour to be drafted by the Rebels.”
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t watch it (online) because I was in school. But I got a lot of texts about it right after, so that was cool.”
Anderson says he first strapped on a pair of skates when he was about eight and started playing hockey when he was 10.
He describes himself as an “offensive defenceman who likes to make plays” and mentioned Alaska native Scott Gomez, a forward, and Jeremy Swayman, a goalie, as NHL players he’s looked up to. When asked about a defenceman, since he is one after all, he pinpointed Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings, citing “his physicality and playmaking.”
Anderson hails from Eagle River, Alaska, just outside of Anchorage – the home base for the Team Alaska U14 squad he played for this season, collecting 14 points in 48 games.
Size is will eventually be an asset for the lanky 15-year-old blue liner who stand 6’1 weighing 168 pounds.
“He was maybe a bit off the grid playing Alaska, but his skating ability compete level, we really liked him,” shared Shaun Sutter, Rebels Associate General Manager.
“Even being in Alaska, we thought he has a chance to play in our league. He’s committed to coming to training camp, and we’re looking forward to seeing him there with the rest of our players.”
