Josh Hennessy has given the phrase “been around the block a few times” a whole new meaning throughout his 13-year pro hockey career.

Starting with the Cleveland Barons in 2005, then the American Hockey League affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, the 33-year-old — born in Brockton and raised in Rockland — had an additional stop in Ottawa and their AHL affiliate formerly in Binghamton, before spending the 2010-11 season in Switzerland.

Hennessy returned to North America for his hometown Boston Bruins the following season. He dressed in 69 contests for Providence, scoring 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points, while also appearing in three games for the big club.

From 2012-17, Hennessy bounced around from the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia, then back to the Swiss National League and back to the KHL once more before ultimately finishing his second tour of Europe in the Swedish Elite League. He made his (second) return to North America this past offseason; deciding to give it another go with Providence after signing a Professional Tryout Agreement.

“I was looking for an opportunity to play here in North America again,” Hennessy said on his return to the Western Hemisphere. “The biggest draw is that Rhode Island is home now. I live here during the offseason and my family is really excited to stay here. Its also really nice to not have to move and there’s also some familiarity with the organization and the coaches.”

Hennessy’s numbers aren’t exactly eye-opening with 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 40 games, but his impact goes beyond the stat sheet.

The journeyman center is very solid on the faceoff circle, as was evident on Sunday, Feb. 25, in a 2-0 Providence Bruins home win over the Hartford Wolfpack. That shutout over Hartford saw Hennessy move up to center a line with Kenny Agostino and Peter Cehalarik after Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson left the game following a collision with Brendan Smith in the second period.

As an older vet in a relatively young man’s league, Hennessy seemingly falls right into a leadership role. You wouldn’t expect a fourth line skater to be named an alternate captain, but Hennessy has been given the privilege.

The leadership role isn’t anything new for Hennessy. The former Milton Academy Star was a captain during his final two seasons with the Quebec Ramparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He became fluent in French during his four years up north while earning the respect of his teammates and fans alike.

Along with the captaincy accolades, Hennessy is widely credited as being a driving force in the sudden increase in the amount of New England-based players that joined the Remparts in the coming years.

“They’re looking for some stability and leadership down here and kind of be a common presence for the young guys,” Hennessy said. “It’s a development league, it’s a development team, so I just want to show that I can play any role they need and fill gaps as they arrive.

“It’s pretty cool to see [the ‘A’] on the sweater. It’s nice to see it, we have a lot of guys who can wear it and it moves around [from player to player] but it does remind you that you have a responsibility to lead and do things right.”

Veteran leadership is generally the key aspect if a team is to be successful come playoff time. Veteran leadership is something Josh Hennessy can provide.

Hennessy has traveled far and wide during his professional career, gaining experience and leadership as he goes. Now he has brought it back to Providence and has given the team a veteran shot in the arm as they gear up toward another run at the Calder Cup.