LA Kings: Aidan Dudas breaks down early struggles, adjustments to pro hockey
By Ryan Sikes
LA Kings 2018 fourth-round pick Aidan Dudas tallied his first professional goal in Friday’s loss to Tucson. He broke down the Ontario Reign’s season thus far with the media.
Donning letters with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL the previous two seasons, LA Kings 2018 fourth-round pick Aidan Dudas looks to be another middle-round gem for the team’s scouting department. In the 19-20 season, the Parry Sound, Ontario native posted 15 goals and 53 points in 48 games.
Now with the Ontario Reign, Dudas is looking to take the next step in his development. He’s listed as a center, but it’s no secret how deep the LA Kings prospect pool is up the middle. And while the Reign have gotten off to a dismal start in 2021, Dudas tallied his first professional goal in Friday’s 5-4 loss to the Tucson Roadrunners.
Dudas’s goal was part of a three-goal comeback for Ontario, including 2019 second-round pick Akil Thomas’ game-tying goal, only to have Tuscon come right back to take the lead for good.
Here’s what Dudas had to say to the media regarding the early goings of the Reign’s season and adjusting to life as a professional hockey player.
On what he needs to work on as he continues to develop
I think speed-wise. I’m ok. I think for me, being the size I am, it’s more of a strength where I need to get better. Speed has always been my strong suit. Just the strength of some of these veterans is pretty good, so that’s one thing I need to work on.
On the first four games of the Reign’s season
Not counting the first two games against Henderson, I think our last two games we’ve played really well. We’ve executed really well. We have a lot to build on these last two games. Obviously, some mistakes here and there, but overall we have a lot of good things.
On developing chemistry with new players
We have a lot of young, a lot of new guys. I think that’s the main thing that he’s trying to do is keeping the lines together – keep building that chemistry. Pretty much every line has been building that chemistry, and I think it’s coming along really well.
On developing a relationship with Turcotte and Madden
Obviously, I didn’t know Turcotte and Madden too well before going to Berlin, but I think I have really good relationships with them now. Getting some pro games under our belt was really great for us as well.
On positives he’s seen from Madden
Madden was my roommate, and I didn’t know him too well before this. He had a great year in college the year before. He’s been playing really, really well. He’s a gamer. He’s come out every game and performs. He had some success in the preseason, and good things are going to come for him.
On the difference between junior hockey and professional hockey
Being a hockey player, you hear it all the time. Pros are a different league. It’s nothing like junior [hockey]. It’s faster. It’s stronger. The players are older, so they understand the game better. You hear that so much that you’re pretty much prepared for anything. Being a hockey player, I think that’s one of the biggest things is being prepared. I’ve taken everything in that I hear from other pros, and I think I’ve been really well prepared.