Former Vancouver Canucks first-rounder Cody Hodgson retires again

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Cooper Godin
May 2, 2024 (4:03 PM)

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Former Vancouver Canucks first-round pick Cody Hodgson hasn't had the career he hoped and after an eight-year absence due to a medical condition, he returned to professional hockey earlier this year.

Hodgson was able to ink a professional tryout contract with the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals, where he appeared in 13 games and put up eight points (six goals, two assists).

While Hodgson's return to professional hockey was a great story and many were excited to see where he'd be playing next season, it appears that he's decided to hang up the skates once again.

In an interview with Thomas Drance of The Athletic, Hodgson revealed that the symptoms of his malignant hyperthermia had returned and he will no longer be able to continue his comeback, forcing him into retirement.

"We're talking about the game and I said, 'I'm done,' I just knew something was up. I just didn't feel good when I was skating and I'm having all these symptoms." Hodgson said to Drance when describing the conversation he had with his father.

Hodgson told Drance that he began to have micro tears to the muscles in his back and neck again and that heat sensitivity was aggravating the condition he is dealing with.

"The heat sensitivity overloaded me, especially without access to my regular routine," Hodgson said to Drance. "I can tell even now with the heat, I can feel my neck tighten up."

The 34-year-old was selected tenth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and went on to appear in 71 games for the club before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he'd spend the majority of his career.

Being forced into retirement is never easy for a professional athlete, but Cody Hodgson's comeback will be remembered for a long time for the adversity and strength it took to return to hockey after nearly a decade away from the game.