New hockey season, same injury. At least, that’s the damning realization for Vancouver Canucks’ top prospect Cody Hodgson.

After missing the majority of last season with a mysterious back ailment suffered training during the 2009 offseason, the former Brampton Battalion has been sidelined again.

Hodgson, who was the subject of a public dust-up with Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault after a subpar training camp, continues to be flogged by the injury that limited him to 13 regular season games and 11 more OHL postseason contests last year and forced him to miss the 2010 World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan.

14 months after the initial injury, Hodgson still isn’t cured.

Misdiagnosed as a bulging disk, Hodgson suffered instead from a torn muscle in his back, something both an independent specialist and Vancouver’s own doctors missed.

Though the former first round pick of the Canucks from 2008 has not been cleared to play just yet, Hodgson isn’t far from suiting up and it is being speculated he’ll be able to take contact in late September. Due to lack of clearance, Hodgson will not only miss the rookie tournament in Penticton next week, but also the Canucks’ training camp and preseason schedule.

Due to the setback, Hodgson is expected to start his professional career with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

Aaron Vickers is the managing editor of Future Considerations and can be found on Twitter. For all the latest Future Considerations news and posts, follow FC’s Official Twitter Feed, on YouTube and on Facebook!