Cody McCormick is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on April 18, 1983, in London, Ontario, Canada. McCormick began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Belleville Bulls in 1999. He played for the Bulls for four seasons, from 1999 to 2003, before being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the fifth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
McCormick made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in the 2003-2004 season, playing in 13 games and scoring one goal. He spent the majority of the next two seasons playing for the Avalanche's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hershey Bears. McCormick became a regular in the Avalanche lineup in the 2006-2007 season, playing in 60 games and scoring six goals.
In the summer of 2008, McCormick was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. He played for the Sabres for six seasons, from 2008 to 2014, serving as a physical presence on the team's fourth line. McCormick was known for his toughness and willingness to drop the gloves, as well as his ability to kill penalties. He played in a total of 358 games for the Sabres, scoring 21 goals and 32 assists.
In March 2014, McCormick was traded to the Minnesota Wild. He played in 14 games for the Wild, scoring one goal, before being diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg. McCormick missed the remainder of the 2013-2014 season and the entire 2014-2015 season while undergoing treatment for the clot.
In October 2015, McCormick announced his retirement from professional hockey due to health concerns related to the blood clot. He finished his NHL career with 405 games played, 21 goals, and 29 assists. McCormick was known for his physical play and his willingness to stand up for his teammates. He was a respected veteran presence in the locker room and a fan favorite for his hard-nosed style of play.
Since retiring from hockey, McCormick has become involved in philanthropy and community service. He founded the McCormick Cup, a charity hockey tournament that raises money for the Buffalo Sabres Foundation and other local charities. McCormick has also worked with the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Make-A-Wish Foundation to support cancer patients and their families.
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