Cody Hodgson
A Canadian hockey prodigy whose promising NHL career was ultimately reshaped by a rare muscular disorder discovered years into his professional journey.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: February 18·Millennials
Biography
Cody Hodgson entered the hockey world as a first-round draft pick, carrying the weight of expectation as a playmaking center with a sharp hockey IQ. His junior career with the Brampton Battalion was stellar, making him a top prospect for the Vancouver Canucks. Early NHL moments showed flashes of his potential, but his trajectory never quite matched the hype, leading to a trade to the Buffalo Sabres. It was only after he stepped away from the game in his mid-twenties that a medical revelation provided context: a diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia, a genetic condition that affects muscle response to anesthesia and extreme exertion. This discovery reframed his career struggles, transforming his narrative from unmet potential to an athlete competing against an unseen physical challenge. His story became one of navigating professional sports with an undiagnosed condition, offering a different perspective on athletic performance and longevity.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Cody was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cody Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Cody's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Was selected 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
- Won the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Player of the Year award in 2009 after a dominant season with the Brampton Battalion.
- Recorded a career-high 20 goals and 44 points in the 2013-14 NHL season with the Buffalo Sabres.
- Represented Canada internationally, winning a gold medal at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Did You Know?
His father, Chris Hodgson, was a hockey player drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in 1977.
He was a standout tennis player in his youth before focusing exclusively on hockey.
The muscular disorder he was diagnosed with, malignant hyperthermia, is often triggered by certain anesthetics or extreme stress.
After his hockey career, he became involved in the family business, Hodgson Homes, a construction company.
“The game is about making the right play, not just the flashy one.”
