The Chilliwack Chiefs have made a move to address an early-season weakness, acquiring veteran defenceman Jordan Chudley.
The 20-year-old blueliner is a Manitoban, hailing from Souris, whose junior A playing rights were held by the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Winkler Flyers. They sent him to the Chiefs for future considerations.
But Chudley was barely connected to that team. He played two games for Winkler in 2020-21, and otherwise has been skating in the Western Hockey League. Most recently he was with the Tri-City Americans before getting released two weeks ago.
“It was shocking and upsetting for sure, but it is what it is and I’ve got a good opportunity here,” Chudley said. “They (Chiefs) reached out to me when I was released, to see if I’d be interested in coming to Chilliwack, and I wasn’t sure at the time. But I’ve heard nothing but good things about Chilliwack and it seemed like they had a pretty good team, so eventually it felt like the right place to go.”
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Chudley also played for the WHL’s Kootenay Ice (2017-19) and Spokane Chiefs (2019-21), always as a stay-at-home type. He had four points in 94 Dub games, putting all his focus on keeping pucks out of his own net.
“I know what my role is and I know what kind of player I am and what I have to do,” he said. “I’ve got to be a shutdown guy out there, a big body that plays physical and plays both sides of the puck.”
Chudley comes to the Chiefs seeking a scholarship. The NCAA door closed when he went to the WHL, but U-Sports and Canada West hockey is still on the table, and that’s where his sights are set.
In the meantime, he starts his BCHL career tonight (Friday, Oct. 29) on the road in Langley.
“It’s a bit different and stressful moving team to team, but so far it’s been good meeting the guys, coming into that dressing room and feeling comfortable,” Chudley said. “Hopefully I can help them out starting this weekend.”