Cody HodgsonThe Milwaukee Admirals' stay lasted only three months, but it made a lasting impression.
Hodgson, the tenth overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, had been out of hockey since 2016 following a 328-game NHL career. Malignant hyperthermia, a genetic disorder, appeared to end Hodgson's playing career at the age of 26.
Until Jan. 17 of this year, that is. It was then that Hodgson signed a professional tryout agreement with Milwaukee. It was familiar territory: he had spent the 2015-16 season between Milwaukee and Nashville before being taken off the ice.
After eight years away, Hodgson adapted quickly and fit in well. Helping to manage it was the head coach of the Admirals Karl Taylorwho was an AHL assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks when Hodgson was an NHL rookie in Vancouver.
“He's a very nice person,” Taylor said. “He went through a really tough time, and he just wanted to try the old college. He was a great professional. He worked really hard, he did a lot of good things for us.
“Not many people in the world would have tried what he did. So it tells me a lot about him. He was a great team. The boys loved him. He was perfect. He still had a little old school about him, very good for boys, and he was a joy to be around.”
Hodgson made his debut on Jan. 24 but he broke his rib. On February 22, he scored his first goal. For a Milwaukee team overflowing with prospects, players under the age of 20, Taylor wanted their attention. This was another NHL success. In addition, he was stuck in the NHL. He was what these players hope he will be one day. Then a health problem arose.
“You know how to look at someone who has lost an opportunity,” continued Taylor. “He was able to share some things with the guys we have here so they understand that you can't play forever, unfortunately. Use your time well now.”
Hodgson played his final game with the Admirals on April 14. He finished his season with six goals and two assists in 13 games.
Said Taylor: “Our team is better today because Cody was part of our team.
With the Washington Capitals falling in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Cavaliers have come to the defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears.
The Bears received seven players from their parent NHL team following the Capitals' season-ending loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday night. Hershey's title defense begins tonight against Lehigh Valley in Game 1 of the teams' Atlantic Division semifinal series at the Giant Center.
Lucas Johansen, Vincent Iorio and the captain of the Bears Dylan McIlrath they all saw play action on the Washington blue line. (Iorio was injured in Game 1 against the Rangers and will return to Hershey, eligible to rejoin the Bears once he's healthy again.) Forward Hendrix Lapierre again Ivan Miroshnichenko are back after making their Stanley Cup Playoff debut. The protector Hardy Häman Aktell and third-string goalkeeper Mitch Gibson was added to the Caps; Haman Aktell played 55 games for Hershey this season, while Gibson spent most of his time with South Carolina (ECHL).
McIlrath, Johansen, Lapierre and Iorio were all part of the Bears' championship club last season.
― with files from Patrick Williams
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