Listowel native and Huron-Perth Lakers captain Chet Hudson recently had his name called by the Owen Sound Attack.
Hudson was selected in the 3rd round, 49th overall in the OHL U-18 draft on April 8th, alongside teammate and Exter native Jackson McLlwain, who was taken 53rd by Windsor. Hudson says getting drafted was great, but it was a bonus being called by nearby Owen Sound.
"It was kind of surreal, it happened really fast and knowing it was Owen Sound, and I could be so close to my family and friends if I made the team at camp in the summer, I think it's pretty special to me and I was pretty thrilled," said Hudson.
Hudson put up 32 points in 35 games last season for the Lakers, and played 13 games for the Listowel Cyclones in the regular season and playoffs. Hudson says he wants to work on getting bigger and faster to hopefully compete for a spot at Attack camp this summer. In terms of players he tries to take after, Hudson says he likes to emulate the two-way game of two pretty prominent NHLers.
"Growing up in Canada, obviously I'm a pretty big Leafs fan, and watching John Tavares play all the time, I like to model my game a bit after him. He's a great skater, he can see the ice well and he plays well in his defensive end. But I also really like Matthew Tkachuk, just the way he gives it his all on the ice all the time, but also how he handles himself off the ice," Hudson added.
Being a captain of a prestigious organization like the Huron-Perth Lakers was a huge honour, Hudson says, and in terms of leadership inspiration, he needed only to look down the street to a former Listowel Cyclones great.
"Again, growing up in Listowel, I always watched Caleb Warren play for the Cyclones. He's actually my neighbour right near me, so I've always gotten to watch him and see how he leads his teams. Obviously, throwing on the "C" with the Lakers this year was pretty special, getting to play with all those great players," said Hudson.
Hudson credits Huron-Perth Lakers GM and Director Nick Parr and the coaching staff of Head Coach Matt Doyle, assistants Jason Bain and Larry Kruse, and trainer Chris Oliver for helping him reach his OHL goal.
He also says getting to work with Cyclones GM and Head Coach Jesse Cole and his staff was massive last year.
Hudson also has a great relationship with former Cycs Head Coach and current Director of Player Personnel Jason Brooks, as Hudson has known him most of his life, crediting Brooks as being an excellent mentor.