Cody Hodgson Update: Back Is Finally Healthy, Attitude Is Good, Too

After the first day of the Canucks' main training camp, top-prospect Cody Hodgson, unfortunately known more for back problems (real) and attitude problems (rumoured) than his junior exploits, finally had a good day.

For the first time in over a year (14 months, but who's counting) Hodgson was pain-free and able to skate with the Canucks and participate in contact drills.

Skating in a group with the also injured Alex Burrows and several other prospects, Hodgson was able to engage in light contact during drills, and hopes to be cleared for full contact in time for preseason games (the first preseason game is Tuesday Sept 21 vs. Calgary).

"I’m progressing more into that stuff now and that was a good first step today" said Hodgson. "I did some little stuff, some battling drills down low and I felt good with those. It was light contact but we still had some contact and we’d like to keep it progressing. I felt good today and I’m excited for tomorrow,” (Reported by Canucks.com).

Canucks fans should be excited too.

Drafted 10th overall in 2008, Hodgson was the most touted draft pick by the Canucks since the Sedin twins back in 1999.   After essentially having a wasted year last season due to his bad back, Hodgson is back on track and should see action in a Canucks uniform during the regular season.

It might be a stretch for him to make the team out  of camp, but he certainly has the skill set. It is only a question of his back and conditioning, but Hodgson worked on both of those over the summer with player turned training guru Gary Roberts, so it should only be a matter of time until he is ready.

Hodgson also addressed some of the reports of bad blood between himself and coach Alain Vigneault after Vigneault's rather blunt comments when Hodgson failed to make the team a year ago (at the time, Hodgson's back injury was still undiagnosed).

As reported by the Province newspaper, when asked if he had a problem with the coach, Hodgson responded, "Mr. Vigneault calls it the way he sees it, and I'm looking forward to earning his respect this year and the years that follow. He's a great coach for a reason. We've had many talks, and he seems like a good man.”

Of course, a cynic (or realist if you prefer) would say that of course Hodgson isn't going to publicly bash his future coach.

I prefer to believe Hodgson was being honest. After all, no one likes to be called out, but don't you prefer a boss who tells it straight and is honest? Plus Vigneault, while characteristically blunt, isn't afraid to call it like he sees it in defence of his players either, which I'm sure the team appreciates.

On a side note, as mentioned Burrows was also skating at camp and taking part in drills, albeit without contact. Recovering from shoulder surgery, Burrows was expected to be out until late November or early December, but appears to be ahead of schedule.