Former first-round pick signing a professional tryout contract with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals
There was a great deal of optimism when the Buffalo Sabres traded former first-rounder Zack Kassian to Vancouver for center Cody Hodgson in 2012 that the club had acquired a center capable of playing on their top two lines. Hodgson was a 10th overall pick of the Canucks in 2008, led the gold medal-winning Team Canada in scoring at the World Juniors in 2009, and played a dozen playoff games for Vancouver in their run to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.
That confidence was borne out over the next two seasons when the youngster scored 78 points (35 goals, 43 assists) in 120 games, but after a dramatic decline to 13 points in the second year of a six-year, $25.5 million deal in 2014-15, Hodgson was bought out of the remaining four years of his deal with the Sabres.
After signing and splitting time with Nashville and their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee the following season, Hodgson retired in 2017 at the age of 26. Seven years later, the former Canucks first-round pick is attempting a comeback, signing a professional tryout contract with the AHL Admirals.
After retirement, it was discovered that Hodgson suffered from malignant hyperthermia, “a condition he inherited from his father Chris that produces muscle rigidity, fever, and coronary stress. In Hodgson’s case, it was set off by intense physical activity, which is kind of a problem for a professional hockey player.”
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that last year Hodgson was given a clean bill of health from his affliction and that he would like to resume his career after a long layoff.
LATEST THN BUFFALO STORIES