Canuck hopeful is working it OUT
August 25th, 2008 by thewordbirdThe ‘in-and-tangible’ of young Cody Hodgson can get Vancouver fans all excited as of now. Well, that is if you were not convinced at the draft.
THe article at www.faceoff.com by Jim Jamieson from The Province goes on to provide you with some wee nuggets on Hodgson’s summer training.
Mike Gillis was indeed wise to bring in former NHLer Dave Gagner. His son, Sam was a nice addition to the Edmonton Oilers last season out of junior hockey. Much of his success is due to strength and conditioning and overall hockey IQ. Gagner Sr. runs a hockey development facility in London, Ontario called the ‘Power Play Training Centre’ and new Canuck forward Steve Bernier has been bringing up his conditioning at the PPTC as well. This is great news for the Canuck fans out there. Great news. Bernier is a very good power forward when his game is on and a coveted young forward league-wide. Conditioning was one of his criticisms although much of it is most probably blown out of proportion.
If Hodgson makes the club in fall, let the masses start talking the Captainship, which is as of yet undecided for Vancouver. My vote for the fall is Mattias Ohlund and I would not be agasp if Willie Mitchell was named….as he is signed for two more years and Ohlund is only a signed Canuck this year. If Ohlund is not named Captain, I would put my Ohlund jersey in mothballs if I were you. But this Hodgson kid is a real winner and more skilled than he has been given credit for in the past.
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) coaches named Cody THE smartest player in the league last season and he has already attended the Canadian World Junior summer camp this summer. The only reason he won’t be on the squad come Christmas-time is if the Canucks secure a roster spot for him. This kid has future-Captain written all over him. Just ask Stan Butler.
August 25th, 2008
Robin Keith Thompson
