Former NHLer Cody Hodgson looking to attempt hockey return after 2016 retirement

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night on Canada, former NHL forward Cody Hodgson is hoping to make a return to hockey eight years after last suiting up with the Nashville Predators.

Hodgson was forced to retire at 26 after being diagnosed with malignant hyperthermia, which is described as a rare muscle disorder that is caused by a RYR-1 gene mutation. Hodgson retired to focus on his health, retiring after splitting the 2015-16 season with the Predators and AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.

According to Friedman, the 34-year-old forward has been back skating since receiving a clean bill of health last summer.

“He understands he’s not starting in the NHL, he knows nothing is guaranteed, but he’d like to resume his career and he’s looking for an opportunity,” Friedman said.

Drafted 10th overall by Vancouver in 2008, Hodgson made a name for himself after leading the 2009 world juniors with 16 points, helping Canada to win gold. That same year, he was named top player of both the OHL and CHL.

Hodgson split the 2010-11 season between the Canucks and AHL’s Manitoba Moose before eventually becoming a full-time NHLer in 2011-12. Hodgson had a career-best 20 goals and 44 points with the Buffalo Sabres in 2013-14 campaign, the same season that saw him put up a point-per-game with Canada’s World Championship roster.

In 328 NHL games over six years between Vancouver, Buffalo and Nashville, Hodgson had 64 goals and 142 points. He also had 60 points in 85 AHL games and his 243 points in 197 OHL games with the Brampton Battalion made him one of the most dominant OHL careers from the 2000s.