In 1972–73, Hogaboam played two games in the National Hockey League with the expansion Atlanta Flames, but the majority of his season was played with the Virginia Wings of the American Hockey League. In 1972–73, he played four games with the Detroit Red Wings, but it was in 1973–74 that he had the opportunity to play more, appearing in 47 games, scoring 18 goals and 23 assists. It was that production which saw him inserted into the Wings' lineup for 60 games the following year, with little increase of production.