Bode Laylin sits down to discuss his strong season with the Storm, his nomination for USHL Defenseman of the Year and the upcoming NHL Draft
The Tri-City Storm found their 2025-26 season shorter than anyone in the organization thought or hoped for, but not to be lost in the early exit was the strong play of defenseman Bode Laylin.
In his second full season at the United States Hockey League level, Laylin appeared in 55 games, recording 11 goals and 27 assists, finishing second on the Storm in points behind only forward Carson Pilgrim. The 38 points placed Laylin in seventh for most points among all USHL defenseman this year. During an interview, Laylin spoke about how his game has evolved over his time in Tri-City.
“I think I’ve just been maturing and growing. I’ve learned from veteran guys, my older brothers, and the coaches I’ve had to help me grow and get better as a player,” Laylin said. “It feels good to see the success. With all the work I’ve put in to get to this spot, and all the help from my teammates, it’s really helped me build my character and leadership and then the points come after that.”
Laylin’s leadership qualities were further showcased this season as the 18-year-old defenseman was named one of the Storm’s assistant captains, an honor that he did not take lightly.
“It’s a great honor. Being a captain for our coach, Torch [John Torchetti], is huge. He’s coached for 40 years, and just to be a leader that he trusts, and is willing to have me lead the team, grow, and help us win games means a lot,” Laylin said. “It’s been fun and truly an honor to play for him and help the boys.”
Torchetti has coached at the junior hockey level, in the AHL, KHL, and NHL, bringing a wealth of winning experience to the Storm group. Laylin spoke about what it has been like to learn under his veteran head coach.
“It’s been so fun. He lets us play within his system, and he’s a super smart hockey guy,” Laylin said. “He knows everything about the game, he tells us stories about players which are super interesting, and we can just learn so much from him.”
To put a bow on Laylin’s great season, the defenseman was named one of three finalists for USHL Defenseman of the Year, along with Hawke Huff of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and the winner of the award, Jack Willson from the Youngstown Phantoms. Laylin spoke about what it meant to see himself get nominated for this award.
“It’s pretty cool and a great honor to see myself up there along with two other good players,” Laylin said. “I’ve seen myself grow as a player, especially being able to produce this year on a team that struggled a bit on offense. I was able to get the puck to guys and help us score when we needed to win games.”
Looking ahead, Laylin is eligible for this upcoming NHL Entry Draft set for June 26-27. The defenseman has been ranked 131st overall among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting, giving Laylin a projection of being selected in the mid-rounds of this year's draft.
“It would be a great honor to be selected. I haven’t looked into it too much, I just keep living life, it’s not make or break or anything, but I obviously want to be selected as high as I can,” Laylin said. “I want to go to a team that thinks I fit their system. I want to have a career in the NHL and just continue to have fun playing the game that I love. I want to have success everywhere I go, and just continue to build friendships with the guys that I play with on each team because I think that’s important.”