Cody Franson

Cody Franson (born August 8, 1987) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the 3rd round, 79th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
Franson began his major junior career with the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2002–03. After a 13-point campaign in 2004–05, he was drafted in the 3rd round, 79th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Franson then improved to 55- and 51-point campaigns with the Giants in the next two season after being drafted. In 2006, he helped lead the Giants to a President's Cup as WHL champions, earning a berth in the 2006 Memorial Cup. He recorded the only hat-trick of the tournament and led all defencemen in scoring with 5 points in 5 games. In the subsequent off-season, Franson signed an entry-level contract with the Predators in July 2006. The next year, he was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team and was nominated for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenceman (awarded to Kris Russell of the Medicine Hat Tigers). After falling to the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2007 WHL Final, Franson and the Giants captured the 2007 Memorial Cup as tournament hosts, defeating the Tigers in the final.

In 2007–08, Franson turned pro and was assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators' AHL affiliate. He tallied 36 points in his professional rookie season.

On October 17, 2009, Franson played in his first NHL game against the Washington Capitals, notching a single shot on goal. Later that week, on October 22nd, Franson scored his first NHL goal against Pascal Leclaire of the Ottawa Senators.

On July 3, 2011, Franson and Matthew Lombardi were traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Brett Lebda and Robert Slaney.

International play
Franson was a part of Canada's 2007 World Junior Championship gold medal team in Sweden.

Awards

 * Won a Ed Chynoweth Cup (WHL champions) with the Vancouver Giants in 2006.
 * Won a World Junior gold medal with Team Canada in 2007.
 * Nominated for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (Top WHL Defenceman) in 2007.
 * Named to the WHL West First All-Star Team in 2007.
 * Won a Memorial Cup with the Vancouver Giants in 2007.