PENSACOLA, FLA – Cody Dion is enjoying some surf time.
The 6’4″ power forward who hails from Colorado Springs recently posted a post-practice photo of his feet embedded in the famous white sand of Pensacola Beach on a 65 degree day. Relocated to the Ice Flyers from the struggling Berlin River Drivers of the FHL, that must feel like Memorial Day.
DIon started his pro career in 2013 with the Knoxville Ice Bears, putting up 20 points in 25 games and a +5 before being called up to the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL. He spent the first 9 games of the 2014 season with the Mississippi RiverKings before the shockwaves of the ECHL merger sent scores of AA players into the SPHL. The Watertown Wolves managed to capitalize on some of the best single A talent to make room and move into the FHL, and Cody put on an explosive performance with 49 regular season points in 38 games (34/15) and 10 points in the 8 playoff games. Dion also had the distinction of scoring the championship winning goal against the Danville Dashers.
“It was kind of a broken play,” recalled DIon. “The puck went back to the point to (Brent) Patry and I went net front to screen the goalie, but Patry’s original shot was blocked. I should have started to backcheck when I saw the blocked shot but I had a feeling to stay in front of the net. The puck bounced back to Patry and he got a shot through the traffic. I redirected the puck at the net. The goalie made a good first save as I turned around to track the rebound. I beat the goalie with the shot, and felt a rush of relief as I watch the puck hit the back of the net. At the time I didn’t know it would be the game winning goal; it never really crossed my mind. I just knew we had to keep working hard and there was a lot of hockey left.”
To Dion’s surprise, he was named League Playoff MVP. “I didn’t even think I was going to be named MVP until we were lined up on the blue line waiting to be awarded the commissioners cup,” said Cody. “My linemates came up to me and patted me on the back saying I deserved the MVP title. I was fortunate enough to have good points during the playoffs, but I never thought about my individual points as long as the team won our end goal and that was the championship. Our team was so successful last year based on that logic. It didn’t matter who scored the goals as long as the team got the win at the end of the day.”
With all of the pageantry and accolades of being a star player on a championship winning team, Dion embraces the challenge of playing back in a higher league. “I want to compete at the highest level possible,” Cody stated. “As a competitor you want to try to push yourself to the limits of your talents; as far as that may be.”
A little sunshine never hurts either.
Photos courtesy of Vanessa Johnson and Candi Churchill
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