Kyle Garcia 
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Charles Hudon!
Charles Hudon
Birthdate: June 23, 1994
Birthplace: Alma, Quebec
Height: 5’10
Weight: 190 lbs
Position: Left wing/Right wing
Shoots: Left
Draft: 5th round, 122nd overall, 2012 NHL Entry Draft
2023-24 season
Charles Hudon did exactly what he was brought in to do, especially on the power play: putting the puck in the net. After recording 29 goals with the Colorado Eagles in the previous season, 17 of which were on the man advantage (which led the AHL), Hudon recorded 20 goals, 10 of which were on the power play, and 54 points in 56 games with the Ontario Reign.
When the Reign signed Hudon to a two-year AHL deal last summer, the first thought in my mind was goal-scoring. Getting to watch him closely this year, Hudon’s overall game greatly impacted the Reign. Not only did he have that big one-timer for the power play, but he played like a pest and got under the opponent’s skin on multiple occasions to go along with his underrated passing.
According to the AHL Tracker website, at five-on-five, here is where Hudon ranked on the team:
- Goals: 8 (5th)
- Assists: 15 (3rd)
- Primary assists: 11 (T-2nd)
- Points: 23 (T-3rd)
- Primary points: 19 (2nd)
Unfortunately, Hudon missed 16 games, due to separate minor injuries. After missing seven games in April, Hudon returned for the regular season finale and played in all eight Reign playoff games. Hudon finished with three goals, one an empty-net goal, and five points in the eight games while playing on the second line.
CHARLIE GET ON YOUR HORSE AND GO!!#AllAboard | #ABBvsONT pic.twitter.com/jyjaepCl6J
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) May 5, 2024
2024-25 outlook
Hudon will be back with the Reign this season and look for him to be a mainstay in Ontario’s top six and first power-play unit. As is the case in every offseason for an AHL team, there are lots of new faces on the team and old faces from the previous season who signed with a new club (NHL/AHL) or graduated to the Kings. With Tynan departing to Colorado in free agency, Hudon could be one of a few players in consideration for the team’s captain. If he doesn’t get the “C”, he’ll definitely wear an “A”.
Featured image credit: Mike Zitek/Ontario Reign