He played 12 seasons in the NHL from 1943 to 1955, for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks and Boston Bruins.

[1] Bodnar scored 62 points during the regular season, a career-best, and he beat Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltender Bill Durnan in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1943–44.

[2] In 1947–48, Bodnar and fellow linemates Gaye Stewart, Ernie Dickens, Bud Poile and Bob Goldham were traded to the Chicago Black Hawks in exchange for Max Bentley and Cy Thomas.

[4] In 1970, Bodnar was named head coach of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles in the Western Hockey League (1952–1974)WHL.

He remained there for one season before signing on as head coach of the Oshawa Generals in the OHA from 1971 to 1976.