SJSU Hockey: Izzy Kodner Projects Big Future For ACHA Program

San Jose State University sophomore Izzy Kodner seems to see things differently than most college hockey players.

San Jose State University sophomore Izzy Kodner seems to see things a little differently than most college hockey players. 

While the long hours at the rink can be seen throughout his game, the seemingly ever-present smile and sense of personal responsibility are less common.

"I actually grew up playing hockey in South Florida," Kodner said. "My dad took me to a hockey game when I was seven years old, to the Florida Panthers, and ever since, I was mesmerized by the sport. I got a very cheap pair of hockey skates and started doing public skates, and that’s when it started clicking for me that this is what I want to do."

Playing hockey in South Florida provided Kodner with a different experience than those who began their hockey journey in the San Jose area as he began playing travel hockey at mites (8-and-under), something that is uncommon in most areas. Just a few years into his hockey-playing life, Kodner’s father got a job at Facebook (now Meta) and a new Jr. Shark was born when Kodner was 10 years old.

"I ended up playing for the Jr. Sharks for about seven or eight years, ranging from AA to A, and then I started playing here for San Jose State Hockey. I did do a little bit of high school hockey here and there for Los Gatos, both varsity and junior varsity."

While Kodner insisted that he is still a loyal Florida Panthers and Miami Dolphins fan, he said he does occasionally cheer for the Sharks. He coaches and teaches in-house and adult classes at the Sharks Ice facility in San Jose over the summers while he is out of school.

While already typically the first one on the ice for the SJSU Spartans practices, you can usually find him at one of the Sharks Ice "Gretzky Hour" skates leading into those practices. He’s around in the evening as well, you just have to know where to look.

"In my opinion, my philosophy, I think it’s important to get on the ice as much as you can, but it has to be in a healthy manner," Kodner said. "For me, I believe this, if you are on the ice more and you keep practicing, that’s going to help in a game. It’s all muscle memory. Let’s say you make two practices, that’s only two hours, versus if I can fit in a couple of hours, that’s probably four, five, six. That’s a lot more practice that I can be doing."

Florida is often an area that is more focused on soccer or football. Given those circumstances, how did Kodner end up with such unique dedication to the sport of hockey?

"I just had that gravitational feeling towards the sport. I felt like it was a lot different from what most people prefer," Kodner explained. "Granted, it is very expensive and I am forever grateful that my parents were there to support me all the way, financially, emotionally, physically, you name it. It’s a really fun journey and I can’t wait to play at San Jose State for the next two, three, or four years."

Moving from the Jr. Sharks program and high school hockey into college hockey has, to no surprise, been a transition.

"My first game last season, as a freshman, we played Cal Berkeley and I think there were three broken bones. Our teammate separated his shoulder and broke his collarbone during his second shift and I’m like holy crap, what did I just get myself into?"

The experience was a much different game both from a physicality and an emotional standpoint Kodner described. While it may have taken him some time to adapt to the new level of play, he credits his time playing in Florida and with the Jr. Sharks for giving him the awareness to keep his head up.

On a team that featured three freshmen a season ago, the number of rookies has doubled for the 2023-24 season with six first-year students on the roster. That is something that Kodner says makes this season feel very different. 

With all of the fresh faces on the team, Kodner remains the lone active player of last season’s freshmen with forward Bobby Arquero sidelined for the year and goaltender Benjamin Grooms transferring.

With an older roster and time ahead of him, Kodner is now looking to step into a leadership role. His personal goals for this season fall outside of goal scoring, but rather finding his role and contributing to the team by being a good teammate. That said, Kodner still feels as though he can find the back of the net and contribute as well.

"I’m a motivator for some of the guys on the team. If I see people with their heads down, I kind of cheer them up a little bit," Kodner said. "Same with my other teammates. I can rely on them, they can rely on me."

Again, it’s hard to emphasize just how much it always seems like Izzy is simply enjoying himself on the ice and having fun in every moment.

"Yeah, I feel like it could be a lot worse. There is a lot worse going on in the world, so if I’m having a bad day, I always think to myself what I am thankful for and what other people are going through," Kodner said. "The world is in distress right now. There are a lot of people going through a lot worse than what probably any of us are experiencing right now, in other parts of the world. I think that’s important to consider. Just being out there on the ice just makes me happy because I’ve got a strong connection to the sport, so that’s probably why I’m always jolly and happy too."

Kodner admitted that sometimes he does get angry, in relation to hockey, and that he recognizes that it’s due to some self-doubt on the ice but fueled by competitiveness.

A competitiveness that he’s bringing to the ice in every game for the Spartans.

"If I’m going to be honest, just a little bit discombobulated, but if I’m positive, I’d say ferocious," Kodner said about the state of the team. "We have some physical guys on our team and we’re willing to chase down pucks and make hits."

While discombobulated may not sound promising, SJSU is still in a state of rebuilding after losing both their head coach and general manager in a single season, and it is almost an idea that is to be expected at this stage.

Over the weekend, SJSU faced Cal Ice Hockey in back-to-back games with Kodner picking up three goals in the weekend split (5-4 SJSU, 6-4 Cal). 

The win on Sept. 29, was the first SJSU victory over Cal in 11 games, with the previous victory coming on Dec. 7, 2019. Kodner had two goals in the 5-4 game.

The Spartans are currently 3-3 this season with two more games at home this weekend.

You can catch the SJSU Spartans on the ice live at the Sharks Ice Orange Rink or stream the game through Black Dog Hockey here on Friday, Oct. 6, at 8:45 PM PT and Saturday, Oct. 7, at 8:30 PM PT as they take on Western Washington University.

As always, never forget: Club hockey is college hockey.