Junior Canadians edge Blackhawks
Blake Hudson, right, has been a solid contributor on defence for the Thorold Blackhawks this season. File photo: BILL POTRECZ.
Blake Hudson is happy to be a Hawk once again.
The 18-year-old Bowmanville native began the season with the Thorold Blackhawks before being dealt to the St. Catharines Falcons, who flipped him back to the Hawks in a trade for captain Nicholas Rubino at the trade deadline in January.
“It was pretty difficult because me and the boys got so close here and suddenly you have to leave your friends and go to a new team and start over,” Hudson said. “It was tough but I was only there for a short period of time. Everyone was nice to me when I was there, they treated me good, but it’s nice to come back and pick up where I left off.”
Hudson said he was ecstatic when he got the call from Hawks assistant coach Chris Goulet informing him he had be reacquired.
“I was so excited,” Hudson said. “I was fired up.”
Hawks coach Scott Barnes was happy to have Hudson back.
“We really liked him and when we moved him to St. Catharines it was almost more for his sake at the time,” Barnes said. “He never wanted to leave in the first place. He wanted to stay here so we knew he was a guy we were going to try and get back at some point, whether it was this year or next year.
“He’s a great kid on and off the ice.”
Hudson joined the Blackhawks in the off-season after playing at Trinity College School in Port Hope the previous three years.
“Blake is a guy who skated with me in the summer and I committed to pretty early,” Barnes said. “I liked what he had to offer, his size, right-hand shot, and can play a pretty physical game.”
Barnes said it is imperative to have a mix of physical players such as Hudson on the roster.
“You need someone who makes life difficult on the opposing forwards,” he said. “He’s over 100 penalty minutes and guys know when he’s on the ice they’re going to take a slash, they’re going to get hit, it’s going to be a battle in front of the net.
“I think you need a few of those in your lineup just so the other team knows it’s not going to be easy in your own end.”
The 6-foot-3, 176-pound Hudson enjoys his role.
“I’ve always been a tough, stay-at-home kind of guy. Play with an edge, tough in the corners and clear guys out front,” he said.
He doesn’t mind if more skilled players are afforded the limelight.
“Everybody has a job to do, whether it’s scoring goals or making big hits,” he said. “I just try and play my role and if everybody does their job, it’s going to be successful.”
The Blackhawks dropped a 3-2 decision to the Welland Junior Canadians in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference action Thursday at Thorold Arena.
Patrick Cole gave Welland a 1-0 lead after one period. Sam Tonelli and Adrian Diodati scored for the Blackhawks in the second while Tanner Ryan replied for Welland.
Brady Afelskie scored the winner at 12:51 of the third.
Former Hawk Nico Balice made 21 saves for the win while Noah Fortuna turned back 28 shots for Thorold.
The Blackhawks, 14-29-0-1, host the Fort Erie Meteors Monday.
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