Cody Hodgson Named a Much-Deserved NHL Rookie of the Month

Vancouver Canucks rookie and third line center Cody Hodgson rounded off his month of January in style on Tuesday evening, with a goal in a victory over the rival Chicago Blackhawks. Hodgson finished the month with a rookie-best 6 goals and 10 points.

The player once thought to be the Canucks' highest valued tradable player has rounded into the star the Canucks thought they were getting when they drafted him in 2008.

With Hodgson averaging just over 12 minutes of ice time this season, and the fact he is just five points back of rookie scoring leader Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, has Cody in the conversation as a definite finalist for the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in the NHL this season. 

Hodgson has been a clutch player for the Canucks this season and especially in January, pitching in on both sides of the puck in big victories over the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks. He is rapidly becoming a player the Canucks can count on to step up while the team’s stars struggle. Whenever there is a moment where Ryan Kesler or the Sedin Twins are having a rough go of it, Hodgson seems to be able to pop onto the ice and provide that added spark to help even out a game or even propel the team to victory.

With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the injured reserve, and Hodgson's play only getting better, he has the potential to win the rookie-scoring race this season.

The Vancouver Canucks' patience with Hodgson through his injury-riddled past two years must be commended and attributed to Cody's success this season. Had Vancouver been impatient and simply dealt Hodgson away for nothing, they would be regretting that decision today. Cody Hodgson has a bright future in Vancouver for many years to come.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist 

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports