Property of the AHL

He stands at 5’11″ and weighs 192 pounds.  The 1990 born

defensive man shoots right handed. Gudas was drafted

by the Tampa Bay Lightning 66th overall in the 2010

NHL entry draft after he was cut by the LA Kings

In 2008-2009 season, Gudas played against grown men

in Czech’s pro league for  Kladno.   He played in 7 games

and notched one assist and 8 minutes in penalties.

For the 2009-2010 season, he made the transformation

from the European game to the North American game.

He left his native land for Everett, Washington, the home

of the WHL Everett Sliver Tips.  During his rookie season

in the “Dub” he totaled 7 grapes and 30 apples for a total

of 37 points, as well as, 151 PIMS. Gudas was not afraid

to drop the mitts.

In 2010-2011 in his first pro season with the

Norfolk Admirals, then Tampa Bay’s top development team, Gudas

was a staple on the team’s blue line.  Opposing teams

knew when Gudas was on the ice because he would

lay down bone jarring hits in the corners and if he

caught you with your head down be prepared to

feel the wrath of the Jack Hammer.

The Jack Hammer played 76 games scored 9 goals,

had 13 assists  totaling 20 points with 195 PIM’s.

He always sticks up for his team mates and himself.

His style of play has earned him the nickname Bam

Bam given to him by his  team mates.

Property of the AHL

Last season the physical defenseman played in

73 games and sniped the twine 7 times and

notched 13 assist totalling 20 points with 195

PIM’s.  Gudas is not a dirty player by any means,

he just goes out and hits everything in sight.

During his rookie season he would often get

caught out of position trying to play the physical

game, but not so much last year. Coach Cooper

can put him out on all situations PK, PP

it doesn’t matter.   Gudas was solid last year.

Bam Bam needs one more year to develop

to round out his game before he can make the

jump to the NHL.

Gudas will  be an ultra competitive guy to play against.

He does have that edge to get under opponent’s

skin.  Radko has the testosterone of a pitbull.

Guds can speak 4 different languages so he can

chirp the opposition in their native tongue. Gudas

is a class act always.  He takes time for fans and is

more than happy to take a picture or sign an autograph.

Mar 16, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks celebrate after a goal by defenseman Cam Fowler (4) against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-US PRESSWIRERe

The 2012-2013 season will mark a new chapter in Norfolk Admirals history.  The Tampa Bay organization will be moving their prospects to Syracuse, New York.  The current parent team for the Crunch is the Anaheim Ducks.  Norfolk will be getting new players and coaches.  The teams are basically flip flopping organizations.

Tampa Bay assistant GM, Julien Brisebois, said that we have nothing against the  city or the arena, its just the travel time that the players spend on buses and in hotels.  This change allows players to be in their bed back in Syracuse almost every night and not on a sleeper bus.  The closest opponent for the Admirals are in Hershey, PA and Charlotte, North Carolina.  This means less time on buses and more time practicing for the Lightning organization.

The official announcement should come in the next couple weeks.  This has been a highly publicized rumor for the last couple months, however,  Tampa Bay has kept a tight lid on this situation because of the historic streak and the amazing playoff run they had.

Twitter-@bauerhockeydude