Cody Franson was an All-Star defenseman in his three seasons with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. He also earned All-Star status in his two seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.
Now, the 22-year-old from Sicamous, B.C., is setting out to garner All-Star accolades in the National Hockey League in his first season with the Nashville Predators.
Franson was drafted in the third round (79th overall) by the Predators in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft after posting modest totals of two goals and 13 points in 64 games in 2004-05.
However, the 6’5”, 213-lb rearguard took his game to another level the next season, posting 15 goals and 55 points in 71 games and another five goals and 20 points in 18 post-season contests to lead the Giants to the WHL championship.
The following season, Franson not only helped the Giants win the MasterCard Memorial Cup as the tournament’s host team, but also helped Canada win a Gold medal at the 2007 World Junior Championship.
After two seasons in Milwaukee with the Admirals, where he was an All-Star and notched 22 goals and 88 points over 152 regular-season games, Franson now finds himself alongside his childhood friend and former Kelowna Rocket Shea Weber as a member of the defense corps for the Predators.
So far, the rangy and mobile Franson has acquitted himself nicely for the Predators, having contributed scoring while developing as a reliable presence in his own zone.
CATCHING UP WITH…CODY FRANSON
On being an NHL player…
“It’s been everything I thought it would be, and more. I’m having so much fun playing with the Predators, playing in front of big crowds and playing against the best players in the world. It’s the realizing of a lifelong dream for me to finally be here.”
On his first NHL game…
“My first game was pretty surreal. We were in Washington playing the Capitals, and I was pretty nervous. You get out there and see all the fans, especially in Washington, and it’s pretty hard to believe you’re actually there. After the game, I was looking over the score sheet and, seeing guys like Alex Ovechkin and Niklas Backstrom on there, it all started to sink in.”
On adjusting to the NHL level…
“The first thing you notice is the skill and speed of players is much better throughout the lineup. In the AHL, your third and fourth-line guys may not have the skill set that your top-line guys have. In the NHL, all the players are very skilled, strong and fast. Guys on the fourth line are more than capable of scoring goals and making plays. Things happen a lot quicker at the NHL level, so it takes time to get used to making decisions faster and moving the puck much quicker.”
On his Predators’ teammate, former Kelowna Rocket Shea Weber…
“We grew up together, went to school together and played lots of road hockey when we were younger. I’m good friends with his younger brother, so we hung around him a lot, and moved up through minor hockey right behind him. It was great to have him on the team when I came up because he helped me out a lot in getting used to the NHL, being on the Predators, and getting used to life in Nashville.”
On keeping tabs on the Vancouver Giants…
“There are still a couple of guys on the Giants that played there when I was there, so I try and keep up with how they are doing. I don’t know too much about the team this season, but I still keep up with what’s happening on the WHL Website. I love to get back to Vancouver whenever I can. I spent so many good, fun years there.”
On the WHL in helping him get to the NHL…
“I think playing in the WHL was a huge step for me to get where I am now. Firstly, the WHL is very close to what you experience in the AHL and the NHL in terms of playing lots of games, traveling, and the level of competition. I certainly found that the adjustment to the AHL was a lot easier because of my experience in the WHL. Secondly, the level of coaching you receive in the WHL is excellent. You’re learning from coaches who have been involved at the NHL level, and your development grows so much in a short time. I know I was very lucky to have a coach like Don Hay to learn from.”
Jesse Watts
whl.ca
