Carl Hudson Signs with Florida Panthers

Canisius' Carl Hudson signs with Florida Panthers

Courtesy of Canisius College Athletic Communications

Canisius College defenseman Carl Hudson has signed a contract with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League. Hudson, who played with the Golden Griffins from 2006 to 2010, graduated from Canisius with 11 school records to his name and is the first Griff in the program's history to sign an NHL contract.

"I'm still soaking it all in but it feels really good and I'm very excited to start my pro career with Florida," Hudson said. "It's also great for Canisius and the hockey program. I hope this will help the players who are there now and the new recruits coming in to get more recognition. Going to school at Canisius and having the opportunity to play with all the great players over my four years helped me out a great deal and I owe a lot to them."

A second-team All-Atlantic Hockey honoree in 2009-10, Hudson set school records by a defensemen with 34 points, 14 goals and 20 assists. The Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario native ranked first nationally among blueliners with 0.40 goals per game and third with 0.97 points per game. Hudson also netted 11 power-play goals during his senior campaign, which ranked sixth in the country.

During his four-year career, Hudson set school records by a defender with 90 points, 44 goals and 46 assists. His 44 scores are also the most in Atlantic Hockey history by a defender. In addition, Hudson amassed 31 power-play scores during his tenure at Canisius, the most in the program's history. A third-team All-Atlantic Hockey selection in 2009, Hudson is the first Griff to be named to the all-conference team on two occasions.

"Carl was one of our early recruits and we thought that he had pro potential from the start," said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. "During his career at Canisius, he has really progressed and developed into a great player who can succeed at the next level. It is a great accomplishment for Carl, his family and the Canisius College program. I'm very excited and couldn't be happier for him."

Hudson played seven regular-season games and five postseason with the Rochester Americans, the AHL affiliate with the Florida Panthers, at the end of the 2009-10 season, recording one assist.

During the 2009-10 campaign, Hudson helped the Griffs to one of their most successful seasons at the Division I level. Canisius won its most games in nine years and advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Semifinals for the first time since 2004.