Hofmann's adjustment to the NHL full of ups, downs

With a wife in Switzerland, a baby on the way, and living in a new country, Blue Jackets forward Gregory Hofmann has had to go through major life adjustments since moving to the United States.
Hofmann was drafted originally by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL draft, but has found himself playing in his native Switzerland ever since before coming over to join the Blue Jackets this year.

In terms of adjustments during his first NHL season, Hofmann has had to learn how to play on a smaller rink with bigger players, as well as learning how to live in a new country. Moving to the U.S. is a challenge within itself, especially with a baby on the way, and that's doubly so now that his wife, Jes, has returned to their home country.
"My wife is back in Switzerland right now," Hofmann said. "She was here with me the first two months and now she's back in Switzerland. The adaptation for her was a little more difficult than me because I have hockey almost every day and she doesn't speak English well. It was a big change for her so she went back to the family. I have to respect that decision, but the first two months were great."
While Hofmann misses his wife, he is glad she is comfortable and ready to deliver their baby. The goal for him is to be in Switzerland when his wife is delivering their baby and to have his family move to the U.S. in early March, as long as everything lines up.
And when it was suggested it's probably best for a pregnant woman to be as comfortable as possible, Hofmann responded, "Yeah, I mean, I don't know. I've never been pregnant. But she's happy. You know what they say: happy wife, happy life."
Even with his wife back home, Hofmann has plenty of things to focus on. One of them is working to earn his spot in the lineup each and every day.

Since the start of the season, Hofmann has tallied two goals and put up a total of six points in 18 games. His success has not come without challenges, however, including a high stick to his lip that resulted in double digits of stitches in the Nov. 24 game vs. Winnipeg. In addition, Hofmann was scratched from the lineup in Las Vegas on Nov. 20 with Max Domi's return, and again for each of the last two games against Nashville and Dallas.
"You don't want to be scratched," Hofmann said. "When you get scratched and you come back, it's important to show up the right way and to try to help the team win. It's motivation. Obviously, we won the last two games and our line was creating a lot and scoring some goals so we are hoping to keep going like this."
Hofmann hopes to have a similar response on the ice to being held out this time, as he came back stronger after the first scratch. He tallied two assists when he returned to the lineup in the win at Buffalo and notched a goal a game later vs. Winnipeg.
Adding to his offensive game, especially after being a high scorer overseas, is something Brad Larsen has been looking for from Hofmann.
"He can skate, he can shoot, and I would love to see him get on a roll confidence-wise to see where he could take it because he knows how to score," the head coach said. "He's proven that at those other levels. Learning the small-ice game, there's a lot. You add travel, you add first time living in North America.
"There are all these things that go into it. Everyone thinks you just show up and play a hockey game, but it's a much different game here, (a different) lifestyle. He has a pregnant wife, so a lot of things are going on here. If he settles in and gets rolling it could be very interesting with him."
This success on the attacking end may have been propelled by the tough internal competition within the organization this season. Hofmann says this is no problem for him; instead, the competitiveness helps to motivate him and raise his level of play.
"It's a competition for a spot in the lineup, but at the same time, you don't try to focus too much on that," Hofmann said. "You try to focus on what you can bring to the team, try to help the team win and bring your best on the ice. I'm just taking it one day at a time and trying to bring the best performance every day."
Hofmann has had recent success, but will not be immune to challenges as the season goes on, as he is preparing to be a father, move his wife back to the U.S., and represent Team Switzerland in the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in February.