Unrestricted free agent center Cody Hodgson announced his retirement earlier this week at the age of 26, writes Jonathan MacDonald of the Vancouver Province. He spent last season with Nashville and will remain with the organization as part of their hockey and fan development program.
Hodgson was originally drafted by the Canucks back in the first round (10th overall) back in 2008. He suited up in 71 games with the team, putting up a respectable 17 goals and 18 assists. However, he was dealt to Buffalo in 2012 in exchange for rugged winger Zack Kassian in a swap of one-time top prospects who could use a change of scenery.
The move didn’t work out too well for Hodgson as he collected 99 points in 218 games with the Sabres but never really became the core player they desired when the trade was made. He did, however, manage to land a six year, $25.5MM deal shortly after being acquired, a contract that was bought out last summer. In the hopes of revitalizing his career, he signed with Nashville but was waived after just 39 games, spending the second half of the season in the minors.
Hodgson wraps up his career with 64 goals and 78 assists in 328 games with the three teams. He will still be paid for many years to come though as the Sabres will owe him just shy of $800K per season every year through 2022-23.
Other recent minor transactions from around the hockey world:
- Carolina UFA winger Anthony Camara has joined the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, the league announced in its daily transactions list. Camara was originally a third round pick of the Bruins in 2011 but was traded to the Hurricanes as part of the John-Michael Liles deadline deal. Camara finished the season with their AHL affiliate in Charlotte but did not receive a qualifying offer back in June.
- While the Blue Jackets cut right winger Aaron Palushaj from training camp yesterday, he will remain in their organization, having agreed to terms on a minor league contract with their AHL affiliate in Cleveland. He spent last season with Philadelphia’s AHL team in Lehigh Valley but has 68 NHL games under his belt with Montreal, Colorado, and Carolina.
- Columbus has also offered Marc-Andre Bergeron, who was released from his PTO today, a minor league contract, reports Steve Turcotte of leNouvelliste (link in French). The 36 year old will take some time to make the decision whether to accept the offer, retire, or try to continue his career elsewhere. Bergeron has been a power play specialist for most of his career, picking up 235 points in 490 NHL contests.
- Ottawa UFA center Travis Ewanyk has joined the Utica Comets (affiliate of Vancouver) on a tryout deal, the AHL team announced via Twitter. The 23 year old spent last season with Ottawa’s farm team in Binghamton, picking up nine points and 110 PIMS in 66 games. The Sens declined to tender him a qualifying offer in June.