Hodgson Could Return Tomorrow

Vancouver Canucks fans breathe a sigh of relief.

Cody Hodgson is back.

No not that back; the injury that has kept Hodgson sidelined since playing his fifth exhibition game for the Canucks in September.

Back as in returning – potentially – to the lineup for the Ontario Hockey League’s Brampton Battalion tomorrow night against the Erie Otters.

With the Battalion sitting last in the OHL in goals scored, Hodgson’s offensive prowess will definitely be a welcome addition to a team trying to lock down the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

His offensive skills were on display numerous times last season during Brampton’s magical run to the OHL finals, as well as Team Canada’s “drive for five” gold medals at the World Junior Hockey Championships.

The reigning CHL Player of the Year scored 43 goals and 49 assists for 92 points in 53 games last year for Brampton, and lead Team Canada in scoring with 16 points in six games.

However, even with the report in the Vancouver Sun that Hodgson will play, Battalion coach Stan Butler is still unsure of whether his star player will suit up or not.

“He’s practicing right now, it’s still day-to-day,” Butler said.  “If he’s feeling better then I will think he’ll be playing sooner rather than later.”

Butler also believes that it’s been very frustrating for Hodgson having been forced to watch from the sidelines all season.

“It’s been difficult for him but I think the most important thing is that he makes sure when he’s back he’s back for good,” Butler said. “He’s got a long career ahead of him so you have to make sure he can have that.”

If there is one positive to be taken out of Hodgson’s injury, it’s that his leadership skills have been on full display this season, helping many of the rookie players improve their game.

“He’s a leader the minute he wakes up in the morning until he goes to bed at night,” said Butler.  “That’s just his personality.”

The Battalion have a very busy weekend ahead of them, playing three games in four nights starting tomorrow.  If Hodgson doesn’t play against the Otters, then he should be able to go in Saturday’s game against the London Knights.

Topics: Brampton Battalion, CHL, Cody Hodgson, Erie Otters, NHL, OHL, Stan Butler, Vancouver Canucks

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