MILWAUKEE — The health issues that drove former NHL forward Cody Hodgson away from hockey eight years ago were frightening enough for him to fear the worst.
Health Issues Forced Cody Hodgson to Retire From Hockey at 26. Eight Years Later, He’s Playing Again
By Steve Megargee | AP
“At the time, they were testing me for brain, liver, lung cancer – all that stuff,” said Hodgson, who played six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks (2010-12), Buffalo Sabres (2012-15) and Nashville Predators (2015-16).
Hodgson instead was diagnosed with malignant hyperthermia, which is related to a mutation on the RYR1 gene that assists with muscle contraction. The condition can result in high body temperature, a rapid heart rate and/or muscle spasms.
In Hodgson’s case, it also led to episodes of rhabdomyolysis, in which there is severe muscle breakdown resulting in organ damage and potentially leading to death. Hodgson was prescribed Dantrolene, a medication that suppressed the symptoms but also left him too drowsy to play competitively.
