Patrick Koudys, D, 6’4, 200, Rensselaer

Drafted in the 7th round, 124th overall by the Oshawa Generals

20 games, 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point, 6 pim, -3 +/-

By Ian Esplen

Patrick Koudys might be one of the rawest talents available in this years’ draft. The 6’4, 210 pound defenseman has the size, skating, and skill that NHL general managers look for. Unfortunately for Koudys, general managers have not seen much of him this year because he is seeing very limited ice time as Rensselaer’s sixth defenseman.

Koudys grew up in Stony Creek Ontario, where he played in the Stoney Creek Minor Hockey Association. While his achievement’s on the ice are impressive, his achievement’s off the ice, are maybe more impressive. He attended St. Martin of Tours School in 2006, where he was awarded Highest Male Academic standing award (93% avg), the Leadership award, Male Athlete of the Year, the Christian Fellowship Award and the Historica Regional Advancement award. If all that wasn’t enough, he was also the captain of basketball, baseball, cross-country, track and field, volleyball, and soccer teams. He would then move on to Attended Blessed Trinity Secondary School for three years, where he would be their Defensive MVP all three years, and an Honor Roll student.

Koudys was drafted 124th overall, by the Oshawa Generals, in the 2009 OHL draft, but chose to follow the same route as his father’s cousin and go to Rensselaer. Before he would go to Rensselaer, he would spend one season with the Burlington Cougars. During that year, he would be one of the Cougars best players, scoring 5 goals and 33 points. He was also the Cougars most reliable defenseman, being named the teams Most Promising Player, Top Defenseman, and Rookie of the Year. Koudys was also named the Ontario Hockey Association Top Prospect, that season.

This past summer, Koudys, was invited to attend the NHL’s research and development camp. Here is what he had to say about his experience there. “It was unbelievable for me just to be on the same ice with those players. Being there really made me realize that I have a shot to do well and that if I work hard, I could possibly be able to play in the NHL, which has always been a dream for me. It was almost surreal” (Lennie). When asked about his coaches, Koudys said this “Hitchcock and King are obviously known in the NHL and all around the hockey world. It was unbelievable just to be able to learn from these great minds in the game. It was a really good learning experience for me” (Lennie).

Overall, Patrick Koudys is still very raw, and needs to play more in order to develop to his full potential. His assets are his size, skill, skating, great athletic ability and Intelligence. His flaws are he is still learning to play the game, he needs to play more physical, and will need some time to develop. If Rensselaer gives him more playing time and allows him to go through his growing pains Koudys should become a top 4 defenseman one day, but he needs to find more playing time somewhere for this to happen.

NHL comparison- Dennis Seidenberg

Work Cited

http://www.stoneycreeknews.com/news/article/217848