Mitch Calvert
The hard work is starting to reap rewards for Emo native Luke Judson, with the latest proof being his inclusive among the top draft-eligible players for the 2009 NHL entry draft.
The mid-season rankings were released Monday by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau, with Judson finding himself ranked 133rd among the 210 North American skaters listed.
“I knew the rankings were coming out, and I thought it’d be nice if I got on there somewhere, but I wasn’t really expecting anything,” Judson admitted.
“It was a welcome surprise.”
After appearing in 10 games for the OHL’s Belleville Bulls last season (including as a spare during their Memorial Cup run), Judson has suited up for all but one regular-season game this year, tallying six goals and seven assists in 43 games to go along with 39 penalty minutes.
“I think the third or fourth game I got sat out, and when I sat out that game I realized I didn’t want to be there [benched] again, so I buckled down and it hasn’t happened since,” Judson noted.
“I’m getting to be more a part of the big picture around here, and kind of finding my spot on the team,” he added. “I was on the fourth line earlier in the year, but I’m kind of stepping up on the third line, penalty killing, and putting a few more points up now, so it’s been nice.”
Judson’s dad, Morris, said seeing his son recognized was a pleasant surprise for both the family and Luke.
“He’s been working hard at it, and considering this [ranking] takes in the Western Hockey League, the [QMJHL], and the USHL in the States, I think it was a bit of a shock to him to see his name,” his dad conceded.
“He’s playing on a real good Belleville team, so on different nights it’s hard to get on the ice a lot, but he has been getting more and more ice time and obviously that’s paid off for him.”
Judson said his defence-first approach has been noticed—and is starting to pay off at both ends of the rink.
“When you play in the defensive end, you’re going to get chances offensively, too, and they are starting to come a lot more frequently now that I’m getting used to the pace of things down here,” Judson remarked.
“I try to do everything I can to keep pucks out of the net, try to wear down their players, get in the corners and muck and grind, bump shoulders, and I’ve gotten into a few fights this year even.”
Belleville currently is in top spot in the East Division of the OHL with a 27-13-2-2 record, picking up where they left off after last season’s Memorial Cup appearance that ended with a semi-final loss to the host Kitchener Rangers.
“Even this year we’ve added a lot of firepower, and we have four lines that can do some damage,” Judson lauded. “Same goalie [Mike Murphy] we had last year, and he’s been unbelievable, so we can compete with any team in this league, and it’ll be interesting to see what we can do.”
Judson’s Belleville teammate, PK Subban, got plenty of accolades for his dynamic personality and on-ice dexterity during the recent world junior tournament. Judson said the Subban who was so friendly with the cameras in Ottawa is the same Subban he’s gotten to know well in Belleville.
“PK is the media guy everywhere, the cameras seem to love him, and I don’t think he minds the attention, either,” Judson laughed.
