Health issues forced Cody Hodgson to retire from hockey at 26. Eight years later, he’s playing again

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.

He was shaking often. His body felt unusually hot. He had an abnormal heartbeat. He was having a tough time breathing. Tests showed his liver and kidney were damaged.

“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.

He stopped playing hockey. He was 26.

“They said avoid prolonged physical activity, avoid contact sports, avoid going from hot to cold and cold to hot – basically the job description for being in the National Hockey League,” Hodgson said.

Somehow, some way, Hodgson is feeling better and playing hockey again eight years later with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals as he attempts an improbable return to the NHL. He already has produced an even more unlikely comeback just by getting back on the ice at all.

Michael Goldberg is president of the board of directors for the RYR-1 Foundation, which…