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#CoHo Meets the Vancouver Media Mob |
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Lindy Ruff gave his team the day off in Vancouver after impressive back to back shootouts in Anaheim and San Jose, respectively.
While his team mates were chillin, Cody Hodgson was brought before the Vancouver media to answer at the questions that have been swirling around Vancouver ever since the rookie-of-the-year candidate was sent packing on trade deadline day.
Did he ask for a trade? Inquiring minds want to know.
The Buffalo Sabres arrived in Vancouver and sent out word that Hogson would not be available to the media. But the team changed that late in the afternoon, giving the Vancouver media less than 20 minutes to get to a presser with the rookie.
Hodgson must have felt like its "opposite day" as he met with the Couver media at the Sabres hotel. Definitely awkward for Hodgson.
The Vancouver Sun is reporting that Hodgson was as vanilla s vanilla can be when it came to talking about the trade.
Here are excerpts from the interview session:
Question: Did you, your agent, or someone from your camp ask for a trade?
Hodgson: “Like I said to a couple of guys beforehand, I really enjoyed my time here. I got along well with the organization, the staff, the players. It's tough to leave but, at the same time, it's a new home in Buffalo and I'm looking forward to meeting the fans there and getting to know everyone there.”
Question: So did you, or did you not, ask for a trade?
Hodgson: “Like I said, I told many guys beforehand I was as shocked as anybody. I don't want to go back. Even when I played here, the whole time I never went back and thought of re-addressing old issues and that kind of stuff. I just wanted to go and play and that's what I want to do now. I have a new team in Buffalo. They're good guys and, hopefully, things work out.”
Question: Given the history of your back issues two seasons ago, and the supposed bad blood over that, did any type of conversation take place between your side and the Canucks in which you were told, if you wanted a trade, you would have to play well in a Canucks uniform to establish your trade value?
Hodgson: “Like I said, I don't look back at everything that's happened. I'm happy for my time here. I'm really grateful that they drafted me and gave me an opportunity to play. They helped develop me and become the player I am today so I have nothing but good things to say about the organization and what they've done for me.”
Hodgson addressed other issues as well. For example, how about moving from a Presidents’ Trophy-contending team to one scrapping for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
“I have to move on and try and help this team,” replied Hodgson, whose new team will meet his old team Saturday night at Rogers Arena (10 p.m. EDT, CBC). “Obviously we're in a tight situation with Buffalo. We've won our last two games now and if we win a few more, hopefully we'll be in a playoff spot and can move on from there.”
Given the speculation that he did want out, what type of reception did he think he would receive from the crowd at Rogers Arena?
“I'm not too sure what the fans will say,” he responded. “They've always been great and really passionate and really supportive so I'm looking forward to getting on the ice again [Saturday] in Vancouver. It will be a little different competing against the Canucks. I got along so well with them on and off the ice.”
Watch the interview here:
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/hockey/vancouver-canucks/Cody+Hodgson+stickhandles+around+Canucks+trade+questions+Like+said/6243489/story.html
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