Cody Hodgson

History

2006-07: Hodgson had a strong rookie year for the Battalion.  He led all Battalion rookies in goals (23), assists (23), and points (46).  He was also a force on the power play, finishing second on he team with 15 power-play goals.  Hodgson had a strong post-season as well.  In four games, Hodgson had four points (one goal, three assists).   

2007-08: Hodgson has emerged as a top prospect for the upcoming NHL draft.  Hodgson has raced past his point and goal totals from last season.  He is in the top five in the OHL in goals, and the top 15 in the OHL in points.  He led the Battalion in goals and finished second on the team in points  Hodgson was named to the Eastern Conference squad in the 2008 OHL All-Star Classic.

2008-09: Hodgson made his pro debut with Manitoba in the AHL playoffs as a 19-year-old after a monster year in his second OHL season with the Brampton Battalion. He led all scorers with 16 points playing for Team Canada at the 2009 U20 World Junior Championship. In eleven playoff games with the Moose he scored 2 goals with 4 assists and was +4 with 4 PMs. Hodgson was named CHL Player of the Year after scoring 43 goals with 49 assists and finishing +41 with 33 PMs in 53 games for Brampton. The Battalion finished first in the Central Division and had the OHL’s fourth-best record before advancing to the playoff finals. In 21 OHL playoff games Hodgson scored 11 goals with 20 assists and was +10 with 18 PMs. In six games at the WJC he scored 5 goals with 11 assists and was +8 with 2 PMs. Canada defeated Sweden, 5-1, in the gold medal game.

2009-10: Hodgson missed much of the season due to a back injury suffered in pre-season and did not play his first game until early February. In 13 regular season games with Brampton (OHL) he scored 8 goals with 12 assists and was +6 with 9 PMs. He played in five playoff games for the Battalion before re-aggravating his back injury. He scored 5 goals and was +2 with 2 PMs.

2010-11: Hodgson made his NHL debut with Vancouver in February 2011, appearing in eight games, and played in 12 playoff games for the Canucks during their run to the Stanley Cup finals. He scored 1 goal with 1 assist and was +1; averaging just under eight minutes of ice time during the regular season. He had 1 assist and was -4 with 12 shots on goal in a limited role during the playoffs. Hodgson spent the bulk of his first pro season with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. He was third on the team with 17 goals and had 13 assists with a -12 plus/minus and 14 PMs in 52 games.
 

2011-12: In his rookie NHL season, Hodgson would get traded to the Buffalo Sabres on the February 27th trade deadline, in exchange for winger Zack Kassian.

Talent Analysis

Hodgson is a solid all around talent.  He does not possess blinding speed, or flashy moves, but he tends to get the job done.  He has developed into a fine two-way player.  Hodgson is an extremely smart player who uses all of his skills in both ends of the ice. Excellent skater, very strong on the puck, can quarterback the powerplay. Hodson has very good hands and excellent on ice-vision.

Future

He has first-line talent but has been injured, and could be problematic to sign.