COVENTRY Blaze have announced the return of American centreman JD Dudek for the 2023/24 Elite League season.
The 27-year-old originally joined Blaze in December last year and went on to score 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 29 Elite League competition games.
Dudek began the previous season with Swedish side Tranås AIF of the HockeyEttan where he made 14 appearances, scoring four goals and providing four assists.
Blaze head coach, Danny Stewart, said: “JD came in last year and bought in straight away. He played centre for us, but can play wing too, and with his skill and skating, he can play a bigger role for us next year.
“His production was very good considering it all came from five-on-five play. He can play up and down the line-up in different spots and that’s important in our league with less movement on rosters.
“We are excited to get him back.”
Previously, Dudek spent part of the 2020/21 season scoring nine goals, and four assists in 21 regular season and playoff games with Bodens in Sweden.
Since turning professional in 2019/20, Dudek has also appeared in 76 ECHL and AHL games, scoring almost 30 points with Worcester Railers, Allen Americans and Binghamton Devils.
Dudek was drafted in 2014 by the NHL’s New Jersey Devils following a four-year stay at Boston College (NCAA) where he played 149 regular season games with 56 points (28 goals and 28 assists).
During his time with the Eagles, the right-shooter received the James E. Tiernan Award given to the team’s most improved player in 2018/19.
He also won a Hockey East regular season championship in 2017/18, and lifted a Beanpot Championship in 2015/16 whilst reaching the Frozen Four.
Internationally, Dudek has represented USA under-18’s at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament where he scored three points (one goal, two assists) in five appearances.
