They Call Him Mr. Sweetwater

I have been wanting to (and forgetting to) write about the former Spokane Chiefs from last season's team that have gone on to other things. After following the journey that one of them has taken over the past five and a half weeks I felt the need to bring to light the journey of my favorite Spokane Chief from the previous few seasons: Judd Blackwater.

Judd Blackwater (aka Mr. Sweetwater) played three seasons with the Spokane Chiefs. The Lethbridge, Alberta native was an important piece to the Chiefs Memorial Cup run. He played last season on Spokane's second line with David Rutherford and Ondrej Roman which showed results often and consistently, especially in the playoffs. His no nonsense attitude and ability to end fights quickly inspired me to give him the nickname 'One Punch Judd' (he hits you, you fall down). As happy as I was to see the Chiefs hoist the Memorial Cup I was saddened that I just witnessed the final game Judd would ever play in a Chiefs sweater.

During the Summer Judd was invited to the Chicago Blackwawks training camp. His solid performance ended him with a contract with the Fresno Falcons on the ECHL (think of the ECHL as the AA minor league equivalent of the NHL). Judd was on his way to an impressive rookie season in Fresno when the financially struggling franchise shut down operations on December 22nd. I hoped that was not the end of his hockey career. Thankfully, he did not have to wait long to continue it. He was signed just eight days later by the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL. Once there it did not take him long to get people's attention, scoring two goals and adding five assists in twelve games with the Thunder. This week Judd was awarded with a call up to the Rockford Ice Hogs of the AHL (the AAA equivalent of the NHL) and the home of former Chiefs coach Bill Peters. In his first game in Rockford he scored a power play goal and a shootout marker in the Ice Hogs win. Welcome to the AHL, Judd Blackwater!

I'm glad that he was given the chance to continue his hockey career. It was well earned. I will continue to follow his hockey career wherever it may lead. I think I can speak for Chiefs fans everywhere when I say 'Congratulations Mr. Sweetwater!' Go get 'em!