Cody Hodgson

Lore & Background

Hodgson played four seasons of major junior hockey with the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In his second season, he was named team captain and recorded 43 goals and 92 points in 53 games, earning OHL First All-Star Team honours, the William Hanley Trophy as the league's most sportsmanlike player, and the Red Tilson Trophy as OHL player of the year. He was then named CHL Player of the Year. During the 2009 off-season, he suffered a back injury that required him to take an entire year off hockey to recover. He made his professional debut in 2010–11 with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL) and also debuted at the NHL level with the Canucks, participating in the team's run to the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. During his rookie season the following year, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres at the 2012 trade deadline. Hodgson was diagnosed with malignant hyperthermia and announced his retirement in 2016. He came out of retirement in 2024, signing a tryout with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, and made 13 appearances before ending his playing career.

Reader's Guide

Hodgson's career was marked by high junior hockey achievement and a promising start that was interrupted by a serious back injury and later a rare medical condition. His OHL dominance—winning the Red Tilson Trophy and CHL Player of the Year—established him as one of the top prospects of his draft class. After being selected tenth overall by Vancouver, he recovered from a year-long back injury to debut in the NHL and reach the Stanley Cup Finals in his first season. His trade to Buffalo at the 2012 deadline gave the Sabres a young centre with offensive potential, but his career was cut short by malignant hyperthermia, a condition that forced his retirement in 2016. His brief return in 2024 with the Milwaukee Admirals demonstrated a continued connection to the game, though he made only 13 appearances before ending his playing career. Hodgson also represented Canada internationally, winning gold and leading tournament scoring at both the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Did You Know?

• Hodgson was the city of Markham's official torchbearer for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
• He wore number 19 in honour of his favourite player, Steve Yzerman.
• He was childhood friends and teammates with Matt Duchene from minor hockey through junior and international play.
• His father, Chris Hodgson, was a former Ontario provincial Progressive Conservative cabinet minister.