Cody Hodgson’s life in the Battalion
Cody Hodgson has his life together – think about it.
Not one year removed from graduating high school, the charismatic young man with the boyish grin and chiseled jaw was a shoo-in for the program of his choice at a substantial university in Ontario. He’s well-spoken, polite and people like him, too.
Oh, and he just may be the most physically-dominating player not playing professional hockey.
So why, then, is he not currently tearing up the NHL this season in Vancouver, where he was drafted 10th overall in June of ’08?
“We have a great chance here [in the OHL] to go pretty far in the playoffs,” said the 19-year-old Brampton Battalion captain. “And being a part of the World Junior team was a great experience as well. I’ve just been really taking in the whole experience and trying to develop my whole game so I can step in next year.”
Truth is, Hodgson was one of the last players cut from the Canucks 2008-09 fall roster. Had he not been let go, maybe he too would have been competing for home ice advantage, alongside the likes of Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Or better yet, Mats Sundin.
“I think it’s great for Vancouver,” said the Toronto-born Hodgson with a laugh. “I would love to have the opportunity to play with him. I’m just happy to have him part of the organization.”
Until that opportunity arises, however, Hodgson is hard at work perfecting a game that has already drawn comparisons to another long-time NHL phenomenon: Joe Sakic.
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“To be anywhere near Joe would be a real accomplishment,” said Hodgson. “He’s dominated the NHL for many years, so I’d love to have half the career he’s had. He’s an unbelievable player and I’ve always looked up to him.”
The 6’0″ forward looks well on his way. Through 50 games so far this season, Hodgson has totalled 86 points, good enough to pace Brampton as one of the two best teams in the OHL’s Eastern Conference behind only PK Subban and the Belleville Bulls.
When the Canadian World Junior team stormed (or in the case of the semifinals, snuck) their way through international competition in January, it was Hodgson leading all scorers with 16 points – one ahead of 2009 first-overall lock John Tavares.
But Hodgson – who has been in constant communication with Vancouver’s Director of Player Development Dave Gagner – knows what he wants to work on in time for his eventual NHL debut.
“Everything. Speed, shooting, passing, stick handling, everything” said Hodgson. “[I’m] trying to work on my all-around game.”
Come next year, the centre hopes to prove himself as a reliable professional player, to capitalize on his obviously-gifted offensive game and legitimize himself as a two-way player, forcing turnovers and making the lives of opposing teams miserable.
It’s a difficult task, no doubt, but one made easier with a good head on one’s shoulders and Hodgson has exactly that. Had it not been for an extended stay in Vancouver’s training camp last September and an unexpected second semester faculty strike at York University in Toronto, Hodgson would have been making his mark in the classroom as well.
“I got accepted into Business in Society and had all my marks and everything there, but I got back too late from Vancouver to go to first semester,” said Hodgson. “Now with the strike being on, [the second semester] goes into June and I can’t do that.”
Most certainly not. Come June, Hodgson will be one step closer to tearing up the NHL just as everyone expected. Besides, with nothing but his game to focus on and no academics to worry about either, what’s a well-mannered hockey prodigy going to do other than perfect his craft?
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