The victory comes a day after the former NHL scoring threat completed a surprising comeback.
Thursday, in an article by Thomas Dorrance. The Athleticforward Cody Hodgson has announced his second retirement from professional hockey.
Hodgson had to take time off from the game at the end of the 2015-16 season due to malignant hyperthermia, a rare muscle disease. It was a shock that Hodgson had to retire at age 26, as he came into the NHL as a prospect who could become a legitimate goalscoring machine.
But eight years later, the 34-year-old was able to get back in shape and healthy with trainer Brad Wheeler, who has worked with many NHLers. In January, Hodgson signed a tryout contract with the Milwaukee Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Nashville Predators.
No one could predict what would happen next.
The Admirals, already one of the best teams in the AHL, were strengthened by adding the Toronto native to the lineup. Hodgson improved in two games and scored five points in the next four games, scoring his first goal in almost eight years until the day he scored his last goal in professional hockey.
Despite playing well after his return, the illness that forced him to retire returned, and small tears in his neck and back muscles began to become commonplace again, forcing him to be sidelined for nearly a month. did not become. After the April 14 game against the Rockford IceHogs, Hodgson decided it was time to hang up his skates for good.
“I knew in the first period that this was going to be my last game,” Hodgson told Dorrance in an interview. “I had warmers all over my body and hands. It was too much. I knew it was over. I knew I couldn't go on anymore.”
He played in 13 games for the Admirals, totaling 6 games and 8 assists. Hodgson felt at peace, he admitted, being able to go out on his own terms this time.
“I didn't understand it at first, so I was just trying to enjoy it. A lot of players go into their last game knowing it's their last game, but I didn't understand that.”
Hodgson played in 328 NHL games over six years with the Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, and Predators, scoring 64 goals and 142 points.
