Cody Hodgson member of sports team Vancouver Canucks
Playing career
Brampton Battalion
Hodgson was drafted 17th overall by the Brampton Battalion in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. The following season, he joined the Battalion wearing number 19 in honour of his favourite hockey player growing up, Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings. He led the team in rookie scoring with 23 goals and 46 points. He added four points in four playoff games as the Battalions were eliminated by the Barrie Colts in the first round.
In his second season with Brampton, Hodgson improved to 85 points in 68 games, which was second in team-scoring, behind centre John Hughes. He was chosen to the Eastern Conference squad in the 2008 OHL All-Star Classic and scored one goal. Hodgson added five goals in five playoff games, as Brampton was eliminated in the opening round for the second-straight season by Barrie.
Heading into the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Hodgson was ranked ninth among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He went on to be chosen tenth overall by the Vancouver Canucks. Scouting reports and former coaches emphasized Hodgson's hockey sense and character, while Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis cited his leadership as a strong factor in drafting him. After the 2007–08 season, OHL coaches had voted him the smartest player in the Eastern Conference. As his skating was considered a weakness, he spent the subsequent off-season training to improve it.Hodgson was expected to compete for a roster spot on the Canucks immediately after being drafted. He was then signed to a three-year, entry-level contract worth the rookie maximum of $2.625 million on October 5, 2008. However, the next day, he was sent back to Brampton for the 2008–09 season.Upon his return, Hodgson was named the ninth captain in Battalion team history. He succeeded forward Thomas Stajan, who served as captain for the start of the season while Hodgson competed in the NHL pre-season. Stajan himself had just replaced defenceman John de Gray, who had turned professional.
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