| Canucks Select Hodgson With 10th Pick |
 With their first round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the Vancouver Canucks selected Cody Hodgson, from the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League. The following is a feature on Hodgson taken from Farhan Devji's Vancouver Canucks draft preview. As Farhan explains, Hodgson's style of play is very similar to that of Trevor Linden. By Canucks Fanz and Inside Hockey columnist: Farhan Devji Cody Hodgson may never lead the league in scoring, but if the Vancouver Canucks end up with this native of Haliburton, Ontario at tenth overall, they could very well be ending up with the second coming of Trevor Linden. And with the recent announcement of Linden’s retirement, it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Canucks organization. In 1988, Linden surprised many by cracking the Canucks’ roster as an 18-year-old, and 20 years later, Hodgson could end up doing the very same. “That’s my ultimate goal, to work as hard as I can over the summer so that I can make the team,” said Hodgson, referring to whichever NHL team selects him at the upcoming Entry Draft. Just like Linden, Hodgson is an extremely poised right-hand shot who excels in the face-off circle, a great two-way player, and most of all, is the true definition of a clutch performer. At the recent 2008 Under-18 IIHF World Championships, Hodgson led all players with 10 assists and 12 points, leading Team Canada to gold. At the tournament, Hodgson was coached by Pat Quinn, who was also one of Trevor Linden’s biggest mentors. “It was an unbelievable experience and something that I’ll never forget,” said Hodgson in reminiscence. “We went in as the underdogs and came out with a pretty decisive win over the Russians to win it all. Pat Quinn was a pleasure to play for and a great coach. He taught us that if we play together as a team we could beat anyone and it worked out perfectly.” Another one of Linden’s strengths in his career was his overall knowledge of the game, leading many to believe that he may pursue the coaching route sometime in the future. And this is no different with Cody Hodgson, as he was voted as the smartest player in the Eastern Conference in the 2008 OHL Coaches Poll. “I try to play a smart and offensive game that creates chances to score for my teammates and I, but at the same time not be a liability on defense,” said Hodgson. “I was told by former NHLer Basil McCrae that the game is played more in your head than on the ice and that most people in the NHL think that the game is 90% mental and 10% physical, so I’ve tried to use this advice to my advantage on the ice.” Just like every other draft eligible player, with the exception of perhaps Steven Stamkos, there is some area for improvement in Hodgson’s game: his skating. However, Hodgson’s skating has already drastically improved in the past few seasons, and there’s absolutely no reason why it won’t continue to do so. “Skating is something that you can always work on and get better at and I’ve been working hard to improve. Hopefully I will continue to get better and stronger and it will allow me to play at the next level,” said Hodgson. While Canucks fans may be hoping that Hodgson slides to tenth overall, Hodgson is adamant that he has no preferences and will be content donning any National Hockey League jersey next week. “I’m going in open-minded and it doesn’t matter where I go in the draft. Hopefully I go as high as possible, but it would be an honor just to go.” Farhan Devji is the author of a hockey based novel, “The Hockey Farmer.” For more information, visit http://www.thehockeyfarmer.ca.tp                |