The Journey: Jaskin and Hudon
Mike Barrett
2015-02-21
This week in The Journey, we’re going take a look at a pair of Quebec league products who took very different paths to reach their big league dreams.
Everybody knows the province of Quebec is well known for their long history of producing NHL talent. From legendary goal scorers, to the greatest goalies to ever tend goal, the QMJHL has always provided a deep pool of talented hockey players for NHL teams to fish from.
First we have Charles Hudon, the Quebec born Montreal draft pick who has virtually played in his own backyard his entire life. Second, Dmitrij Jaskin, a European import who played just one season of CHL hockey. The stark contrast in backgrounds, and playing style, exemplify just how versatile of a league it really is.
Dobber Rank: 16
Charles Hudon
Dobber Rank: 120
After being the sixth overall pick in the QMJHL draft, the hometown, Alma, QC native scored 60 points in 63 games, with a plus-26 rating. His immense talent was all it was made up to be. Hudon also contributed with three apples in four playoff games in a first-round defeat. Overall, a very successful 16-year-old season.
His second year saw him put up a similar 66 points in four less games (25 goals, plus-28). He added six goals and five assists in 18 playoff games as well. Sliding all the way to the fifth round, his hometown Canadiens snatched him up with the 122nd overall selection, as many people doubted his potential due to his lack of scoring improvement and assumed he was just another young sensation who capped out early.
His third season, Hudon was named captain, and responded by netting 30. He matched his previous season’s assist total with 41, in 56 games for a grand total of 71 points. The Sagueneens forward steadily improved, becoming out right dominant by season’s end. His five-goal, five-assist performance in an intense six-game series with Quebec confirmed his place as a top prospect, despite his draft position.
Everybody in the province knew his name, but the rest of Canada took notice during his Team Canada participation at the Subway Series and World Junior Championships. He really established himself with his great all-around play, notably shutting down and agitating Nail Yakupov all night long. The diminutive forward reads the play at a very advanced level, and uses this ability to put himself in prime position defensively, and then uses his advanced technical skills to create offense. Quite Datsyuk-like in the way he focuses on the details of the game. IE: Protecting the puck like you’re 6’4 220 lbs.
He’s worked on his foot speed every year. While he was not considered fast early on, he can now use his speed to create offense by separating with a strong first three steps.
I always said he will be a better pro player than junior because of the skill set he possesses. His strengths will be complimented much better once surrounded by more talented players. When he created turnovers in junior he would have to finish the play as well most of the time. Putting him with a sniper who knows how to find the hole is the kind of player that would thrive next to Kid Hud.
The fact that Hudon has filled the net so much in the AHL so early is a great sign for his long-term scoring potential, and exemplifies the work ethic he possesses. It goes to show you how much he was able to develop in just four months of an off-season before making such a smooth transition.
Take a look at some of the skills he showed off while collecting Co-MVP honors at the AHL All-Star Game.
If he were part of an organization that were lower in the standings and had less young, depth, Hudon probably would have seen NHL ice this season, and will surely be a full-time NHLer shortly.
Do not expect him to be a first-line scorer, but an above-average hockey player who contributes to his team success in every way possible. He basically makes the same impact regardless of the level, and steps up to the plate when necessary. Look for him to produce similar numbers to his junior days.