It’s the ninth day of free agency in hockey and although some of the top free agents have signed elsewhere, the news that the Florida Panthers signed defenseman Carl Hudson to an entry level contract is great news. There’s still a need for a veteran defenseman, but I’ll take the news for the day. Hudson was one of the bright spots on the Rochester Americans defense at the tail end of the 09/10 season and into the playoffs.
In his last season at Canisius College, Hudson had 14 goals and 20 assists in 35 games. In the 12 games he played for the Amerks he only had one assist but the stats don’t tell the whole story. Hudson played a physical defensive game, something some of the other players failed to do. Hudson will help fill the role of a physical defenseman, something returning players Keaton Ellerby, Jordan Henry and Michael Caruso aren’t exactly known for.
In his first professional game he dropped the gloves with Andre Deveaux of the Toronto Marlies. He didn’t exactly win the fight, but he stepped up to show he wasn’t going to be pushed around and would stand up for himself.
The fact that the Florida Panthers signed Hudson an entry level contract shows that they liked what they saw in his potential future. I’m also sure that Jody Gage and Ted Nolan gave Hudson a positive review and encouraged the signing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsOxJMt0INk
Hopefully local RIT hockey fans can get over what he did to their team and support his role on the Amerks. On February 2, 2008 during a game between Canisius and RIT he left the bench during a big fight and was ejected from the game. Not the best move, but another sign that he stands up for his teammates. He’s #2 in the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwmSHoAs1mc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Ob1R4dnQ8
Good job Panthers, looking forward to the return of Hudson!
“Hopefully local RIT hockey fans can get over what he did to their team and support his role on the Amerks. On February 2, 2008 during a game between Canisius and RIT he left the bench during a big fight and was ejected from the game. Not the best move, but another sign that he stands up for his teammates. He’s #2 in the video:”
This requires correction. He was on the ice when the fight started. However he left the penalty box after being placed their by the refs trying to break up the brawl, not the same thing. Further, “stands up for his teammates” is a misnomer for what he actually is, a low rent thug. the first video you posted is actually the Canisuis team video which is edited to remove Carl attacking a player who is being restrained by the ref and slamming his head into the ice repeatedly. The first video though does show the beginning of the fight where Carl has his stick around another players neck and throws him down backwards. That’s not defending your teammate in either case, that’s just trash hockey. The only draw Carl will have for the Amerks is for more of us to come boo his ghetto punk cheap hockey. The same BS was the root cause of his beating from Deveaux.
Get over it? Never. Carl Hudson is scum.
RIT Corner Crew says: NO! Hudson is exactly what RIThockeyfan says…a cheap thug who doesn’t play good hockey. I plan on being at Rochester games to see him, continuing the tradition…BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
heh.. I should have known that little bit would attract some criticism. I can understand though, I know how I’d feel if someone like Kevin Harvey was signed for the Amerks.
Hate the Panthers though, they signed the kid not the Amerks! lol
Bad signing. He simply isn’t that good. I watched him for four years and he wouldn’t be the in the top four of RIT’s defense last year. I can’t see what the Amerks see in this guy – he’s beer league material.
Would RIT fans accept an apology if offered one? lol
So, I guess 11 school records doesn’t qualify a good player?? Get over it-Hudson is going to be an asset to Rochesters otherwise non-aggressive defense. Hudson will be the change they need to compete in the upcoming season.
11 School records at Canisius is like having the best hand eye coordination at a school for the blind.
RITHockey Fan says: “he only draw Carl will have for the Amerks is for more of us to come boo his ghetto punk cheap hockey.” and “11 School records at Canisius is like having the best hand eye coordination at a school for the blind.”
I was just wondering where you play hockey? And what NHL team chose to sign you? As I see it, you are very comfortable to judge from your armchair with little or no insight. The truth is, Hudson can be a little extreme at times (as evidenced by the RIT/CAN game) but whether you like it or not, he plays with an edge which is something many players lack in pro hockey. He is not afraid to stand up for his teammates. And as for the RIT incident, he did get out of the penalty box, but only cause an RIT player sucker punched one of his teammates. He saw it, and did something about it. Physically, he is as fit as any player and is without a doubt one of the strongest pound for pound player in the AHL. I also watched him play in NCAA and he had one of the best shot in the entire league (as evidenced by his PPGs). Not only would he have been on the top four for RIT, he would’ve been their top D last season. When he started as a Freshman, he needed some help defensively. And now one of his greatest attributes is his strong defensive play. That tells you about his character. He went from an offensive D with stellar numbers for NCAA standards (any team) to a pretty reliable D-man. I think you should reevaluate him before slandering his character over one dumb move (and it was dumb). He was suspended for the remainder of the season for it.. So he paid his dues. Let’s move on shall we!?!?
And whether you like it or not… 11 school records, regardless of the school, is still damn impressive.