Sapurji: Hodgson's 'pain' keeps him off Team Canada

It was announced yesterday that Brampton Battalion forward Cody Hodgson has declined the invite to Team Canada's world junior selection camp because of continuing "pain, discomfort and numbness" in his back.

Apparently Hodgson's camp are now at the point where sugery on the 19-year-old is an option -- albeit as a last resort.

“Surgery is not something that anybody wants to deal with and we haven't spent a great deal of time on that issue," Hodgson's agent Don Meehan told the Vancouver Sun. "We know it's a last-resort scenario. The physiotherapy program is first and I think then there would be an issue of a cortisone treatment.

“At one point, I thought we might be okay and there was a short period of time where he was okay. Then, by extending this out, he had some stiffness and the pain and discomfort came back. I think the doctors are going to have to re-consider what they do now and I think they are going to be a little more aggressive in their treatment.”

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I don't think this news comes as much surprise to many considering Hodgson, who led Team Canada in scoring last year, has yet to play in an OHL game this season. It would have been a very difficult trasition to make even if he had been 100 per cent healthy.

Here's what Team Canada associate coach Dave Cameron said last week when asked whether Hodgson was healthy enough to take part in camp. It should be noted that Cameron said he had not spoken to Battalion GM/coach Stan Butler about Hodgson, but rather had been updated by Hockey Canada personnel who had.

"Certainly with his performance last year and over the years with the international events, he certainly earned a place on that list," Cameron told the Toronto Star. "Now it's up to him and hopefully he'll be healthy enough to come into camp and get a spot."

Hodgson's abscence means there's another spot open for the other forwards at camp. Hopefully those remaining kids can take advantage of the situation.

As always - questions, comments, compliments, complaints, threats etc: sunaya19@hotmail.com or on Twitter @loosepucks